Ontario awards Northlander station construction contract, unveils exterior train design

The Ontario government last week awarded a contract to EllisDon to begin platform reconstruction work and install pre-manufactured shelters at train stops along the future Northlander corridor, marking another step in the province's plan to return passenger-rail service between Timmins and Toronto.

The construction contract covers platform reconstruction at stops in North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson and Cochrane. In each location, crews will install raised concrete platforms with improved accessibility, lighting and signage.

The contract also covers the installation of pre-manufactured shelters at stops in Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores and Temagami. A dollar value for the contract was not revealed in a government press release. The government will award a separate contract for the construction of Timmins-Porcupine station, Ontario officials said.

Also last week, government officials unveiled the new exterior design of the Northlander. In 2022, Ontario officials announced the province would purchase three new trainsets for C$139.5 million. Siemens Mobility Ltd. is building the trains.

In May, the Ontario government awarded three contracts to design and manufacture nine new Northlander station shelters, enhance rail safety and complete warning system upgrades. Enseicom Inc. obtained the contract to design and manufacture nine station shelters; Remcan Ltd. won the contract for track improvements; and X-Rail received the contract to complete warning system upgrades along the Northlander corridor north of North Bay.

Once reinstated, the Northlander will provide southbound service leaving from Timmins and northbound service leaving from Toronto, four to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands. There will be 16 stops in both directions. Northlander passenger-rail service was discontinued and replaced with bus service in 2012.