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Yesterday, VIA Rail Canada Inc. and the Canadian government unveiled design plans for two stations along the Ontario-Quebec corridor. The projects are being integrated with current and planned infrastructure improvements, including a $300 million project designed to expand and improve track between Montreal and Toronto.

The $14 million Belleville station project calls for preserving the historical facility, which was built in 1856. VIA Rail will incorporate an island boarding platform and overhead bridge to accommodate two additional mainlines. The new station will be fully accessible and feature windows to provide views of train arrivals and departures, wider boarding platforms, and parking and drop-off facilities.

Construction on the Belleville station is scheduled to begin next year. The federal government will provide $2.5 million for the project.

Meanwhile, the $4.5 million Brockville station project calls for building a new facility adjacent to the existing station, which was constructed in 1872. The new station will be fully accessible and feature windows to provide views of train arrivals and departures, new and expanded parking facilities, passenger drop-off and pick-up areas, space for food vending concessions and boarding facilities to accommodate additional rail lines.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2011. The federal government will provide $2.5 million for the project.