VIA Rail to invest millions to renovate four heritage stations

VIA Rail Canada Inc. yesterday announced it will invest more than CA$80 million to renovate four heritage stations to ensure they meet today's standards. 

By 2025, VIA Rail expects to have renovated the following: Winnipeg Union Station, Vancouver Pacific Station, Halifax Station and Gare du Palais in Quebec City.

"These iconic stations embody the history of railroading, and by extension the creation of Canada, which we have a responsibility to protect," said Mario Peloquin, VIA Rail president and CEO, in a press release.

The railroad will spend more than CA$25 million to renovate Winnipeg Union Station, a cornerstone of its western operations, VIA Rail officials said. Since 2020, work has focused on upgrading interior passenger platforms and creating a more accessible experience with elevator and escalator upgrades and an exterior passenger platform replacement. It will be the first fully accessible platform on long-distance and regional routes once work is completed at the end of the year, VIA Rail officials said.

All renovations to the station and train shed are being done within the guidelines of Parks Canada to respect the heritage characteristics of the Winnipeg station, which was completed in 1911. The station also achieved LEED gold certification in 2022, making it the second station in VIA Rail's network to have received the Canada Green Building Council credential.

Gare du Palais opened in 1915, while Vancouver Pacific Station opened in 1919 and Halifax Station opened in 1928.