Project developer Alto has defined the Ottawa – Montreal section of the Alto high-speed rail (HSR) project as the first construction phase. Construction on the approximately 200 km section is scheduled to begin in 2029. The 1,000 km overall corridor between Toronto and Québec City for up to 300 km/h is expected to halve travel times. A three-month consultation process will start in January 2026 with face-to-face and online formats on routing alternatives, alignment and stations as well as in dialogue with indigenous communities, municipalities and institutions. The project is classified as a major project of the federal government, is to be implemented primarily with Canadian added value and, according to project developer Alto, will generate up to EUR 21.7 billion (CAD 35 billion) in GDP and around 51,000 jobs during the construction phase. Preparations for the procurement of construction materials will begin in 2026.
