During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, CAO Malcolm Morris shared a brief update with council about VIA Rail’s proposed high frequency rail service.

“Before Covid entered our lexicon, there was a discussion at the Federal level about the VIA Rail plans to introduce high frequency rail service,” between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City, explained CAO Morris. “They’ve commenced a process called Impact Assessment, with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. All that to say, they’re focusing energies on doing the impact assessment, and looking at dedicated corridors for passenger service.” There will be rails dedicated solely to passenger trains, explained Morris, which will eliminate freight-related delays.

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This project is currently in its planning stage, the first of five phases.

“This is a very exciting project that has a direct impact on Smiths Falls,” Morris stated, “A very solid start to a very exciting project.”

Article by Janelle Labelle