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10/16/2023
Canada's Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez last week announced the request for proposals (RFP) has been issued for the project to build a Quebec City-to-Toronto high-frequency passenger rail line.
The High-Frequency Rail (HFR) project will be the largest Canadian infrastructure project in generations, Transport Canada officials said in a press release. The HFR network primarily will feature new electrified and dedicated passenger-rail tracks extending over 600 miles.
"The launch of the [RFP] for the High Frequency Rail project marks a significant milestone. In the future, more Canadians will choose to travel by rail, because the HFR will lead to faster train journeys, more frequent departures and greener travel," Rodriguez said.
The RFP process will be ongoing until summer 2024. Following the evaluation period, the government will select the group that will become the private developer partner to work with VIA HFR to design and develop the project.
RFP bidders will have to develop two solutions with respect to speed: One solution must include trains that can reach a maximum speed of 124 mph, which is faster than service offered today. The second solution must include high-speed segments for faster travel to allow for a rigorous assessment of the costs and benefits of incorporating high-speed rail on each segment of the corridor.
As part of the RFP process, bidders also will be required to detail their plans for Indigenous participation in the project.