The Canadian government declared Friday the first segment of the Alto High-Speed Rail project will connect Ottawa and Montreal, marking the launch of the counattempt’s first high-speed rail network.
Construction of the Ottawa–Montreal line is slated to launch in 2029, with pre‑procurement activities starting in 2026, Transport Canada announced. Public and Indigenous consultations are scheduled to open in January 2026.
Officials declared prioritizing this segment reflects its potential to deliver early benefits to travelers, communities and the economy.
The Alto project will be one of Canada’s largest infrastructure investments in decades, spanning about 1,000 kilometers from Toronto to Quebec City. Trains are expected to reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, cutting travel times in half and connecting nearly half of Canada’s population.
The government estimates the project could boost GDP by up to 35 billion Canadian dollars (about 25.4 billion U.S. dollars) and create 51,000 jobs during construction.
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