As part of its plan to bring back passenger rail service in the province’s northwest, the Ontario government has awarded three contracts to design and manufacture nine new station shelters, enhance rail safety and complete warning system upgrades.

The government says the contracts mark a significant milestone in reinstating train service between Timmins and Toronto, and will help to unlock greater economic potential.

"People and businesses in northern and central Ontario deserve the same access to safe and reliable transportation as the rest of the province,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Transportation. “Reinstating the Northlander will not only support our northern industries and resource sectors, but it will also pave the way for a more integrated transportation network that connects communities from the north to the south.”

Over the next two years, new station shelters equipped with seating, lighting and heating will be installed in Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores, Temagami, South River, Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Washago.

Montreal-area company Enseicom Inc. has been awarded the contract to design and manufacture nine new station shelters.

vRemcan Ltd. has been awarded the contract for track improvements to enhance rail safety, decrease maintenance and reduce derailment risks, and X-Rail has been awarded the contract to complete warning system upgrades along the Northlander corridor north of North Bay.

“This investment marks further progress on the reinstatement of the Northlander train service,” said Chad Evans, Chief Executive Officer for Ontario Northland. “The shelters will be safe, comfortable and accessible, providing a consistent, modern passenger experience for customers boarding and exiting the train all along the route. We are excited to see this work progress during this construction season and next.”

Construction of station platforms, parking areas and pathways is expected to begin this summer, along with track improvements to enhance rail safety, reduce derailment risks and decrease train maintenance. Once reinstated, the Northlander passenger rail service will operate four to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands.

The province has been pushing ahead with its plan to restore passenger rail service in the North since 2022. In April of that year, Ontario Northland released its updated initial business case, which included a preferred route from Toronto to Timmins with a rail connection to Cochrane. In December of that year, the government purchased three new trainsets as part of its plan to reinstate the Northlander.