Transport Canada Minister Marc Garneau and VIA Rail Canada Inc. President and CEO Yves Desjardins-Siciliano have announced a $34.4 million investment to fund improvements at stations and maintenance facilities in the Windsor-Quebec City rail corridor. The investment will ensure a safe travel service for passengers.
"This investment allows VIA Rail's rail corridor infrastructure to remain safe and secure while at the same time improving the passenger experience by making it more accessible and efficient for everyday Canadians,” Garneau stated.
Improvements to VIA’s Montreal and Toronto maintenance facilities will include repairs and upgrades to heating, ventilation, water treatment systems, various mechanical and electrical systems, and roof replacement.
Stations in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor will receive upgrades to various mechanical and electrical systems, heating, ventilation and platform improvements. An additional $400,000 will be used towards the remediation of a federal contaminated site at VIA’s Edmonton station.
"As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada is an important part of the climate change solution for Canada,” said Desjardins-Siciliano. “Our services provide an accessible and affordable alternative to cars, the funds announced today support the necessary shift we need to make towards a more sustainable transportation system. We would like to thank the government of Canada for their continued support in helping VIA Rail to be a smarter way to move people."
The $34.4 million investment is part of the federal infrastructure initiative announced in Budget 2016.