VIA Rail breaks ground on train fleet maintenance center project

VIA Rail Canada Inc. announced yesterday it broke ground on construction to modernize the Toronto Maintenance Center, which will become a state-of-the-art maintenance facility for 32 new trains serving the Quebec City-Windsor passenger-rail corridor.

The modernization project will increase the fleet's longevity, with the vehicle equipment measurement system enabling proactive maintenance with an early warning detection system, VIA Rail officials said in a press release.

Buttcon Ltd. is the contractor on the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The work will include demolishing a portion of the existing structure and building new facilities; adding, removing and replacing tracks; creating a standalone wheel lathe facility to maintain wheels and ensure smooth track operation; and other infrastructure improvements throughout the yard.

Meanwhile, the passenger rail operator announced yesterday CA$25 million in upgrades for London Station in Ontario. The project calls for civil, structural, mechanical and electrical work; as well as redesigning, retrofitting and modernizing station elements.