The Canadian government is now seeking expressions of interest from industry on its proposed High Frequency Rail project linking major urban centres between Toronto and Québec City, billed as the biggest transport infrastructure project the country has seen in decades.
To meet rising demand in Canada’s most densely populated region, the federal government wants a faster and more frequent passenger service along the 806km corridor serving Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Trois-Rivières and Québec City.
The transport ministry said it wants feedback from experienced private sector companies to shape the project and help interested parties prepare for the next procurement phases, including the Request for Qualifications and the Request for Proposal.
Companies can register their interest here. The deadline is May 2022.
The High Frequency Rail service could be fully operational in the early 2030s, the government said.
“High Frequency Rail is a transformational project that promises to fundamentally change the way Canadians travel in southern Ontario and Quebec, improving accessibility, and providing more travel flexibility,” said transport minister Omar Alghabra. “The Request for Expressions of Interest marks the first major step in the development and advancement of this project.”
A Request for Qualifications is expected in the autumn of 2022, with a Request for Proposals due in spring 2023.
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