Proposed high-speed rail route could move closer to Kingston

Public consultations are underway for a high-speed rail route, which could bring the project closer to Queen’s.

A proposed high-speed rail network linking Toronto and Quebec City may be routed closer to Kingston, as Alto—the federal Crown corporation overseeing the project—is gathering public feedback on potential routes. While the alternative route wouldn’t go through Kingston itself, it would come closer to the city by including a southern detour between Peterborough and Ottawa, with Alto seeking broad consultation before making a decision.

In an interview with The Journal, Kingston and the Islands Member of Parliament (MP) Mark Gerretsen said he learned several weeks ago that Alto was assessing two different corridors through the region, although there hasn’t been a decision as to when a planned route will be selected.

Gerretsen has publicly expressed support for the southern route, arguing it would better serve population centres along the Highway 401 corridor.

“[In the northern route] you basically have this 200-kilometre stretch between Ottawa and Peterborough that is far removed from densely populated areas. If you can get that to come closer to Kingston, which is being proposed in the southern route, you’re suddenly going to be along a much denser corridor of where people are living, so it makes more sense,” Gerretsen said.

Gerretsen said, as a representative for Kingston, it was important to advocate for routing the line closer to the city, though he emphasized that his primary argument is based on population density and demand.

Some individuals have taken issue with the projects potential impact on their communities, with anyone able to pin their concerns on Altos interactive feedback map. Commenters on both the northern and southern corridors have highlighted possible environmental impacts, including the presence of endangered species and how a rail line could affect their habitats.

Gerretsen explained environmental concerns are legitimate and is the reason why the consultation process is taking place, adding now is the time to voice concerns so they can be addressed.

He encouraged Kingston residents—including Queen’s students—to participate in the consultation process through Alto’s website, noting Kingston’s current demand for rail service, with Gerretsen claiming Kingston’s existing VIA rail station is the fourth busiest in the country.

“That says a lot about the fact that people commuting to and from Kingston prefer the train,” he said. “We’ve a lot of students that come in and out of Kingston on the train, so the more options that are available to them, high-speed options, are going to make their lives even easier.”

Given the project would take several years to complete, Gerretsen said “although it might not affect any students that currently are going to Queen’s University today, it certainly will in the future […] so I would encourage anybody who uses the VIA train often and complains or is concerned about the delays and the length of time it takes to consider voicing their opinion on this.”

At this stage, Gerretsen said the federal government’s role is limited, despite Alto being federally owned.

“Right now, the role is to let Alto do what they need to do in terms of public consultation and produce the outcomes that they produce,” he said. “If people don’t feel that Alto has addressed their concerns, then it’s time for political intervention.”

Construction for the project is set to begin sometime in 2029 or 2030 according to CTV.

Tags

high-speed rail, train, VIA Rail

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