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The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Metrolinx recently launched construction on the Sheppard East light-rail line.

Part of Metrolinx’s “Big Move” regional transportation plan, the nine-mile line will be built on Sheppard Avenue East in a dedicated right of way running from the Don Mills subway station to Meadowvale Road in Toronto. Metrolinx will oversee the project and own the new line, which will connect to the Sheppard subway line, regional bus service and GO Transit’s Agincourt station.

The province of Ontario will provide more than $630 million for the project and the Canadian government will contribute more than $330 million.

Meanwhile, Canadian Transport Minister John Baird has named Marc Laliberté president and chief executive officer of VIA Rail Canada Inc. for a four-year term, effective Jan. 4. He succeeds Paul Coté, who is retiring after a 32-year VIA Rail career that included a five-year term as CEO.

Laliberté most recently was president and CEO of Quebec Railway Corp. He previously served CN in various roles ranging from mechanical engineer to director of intermodal operations to general manager of the Eastern Canada Champlain district, and was president and CEO of CN subsidiary AMF Technotransport Inc. Laliberté also served a stint as president and general manager of Vapor Rail Inc.