This section is Presented This section was produced by the editorial department. The client was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication. by HAVEN HOME HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING The alternative proposal would be built along the Highway 401 corridor through much of eastern Ontario and add three local stations. May 27, 2026 • Last updated May 27, 2026 •
An alternative proposal for high-speed rail would involve building along the north side of Highway 401 through Belleville, Kingston and Brockville, Ont. Photo by Elliot Ferguson /The Kingston Whig-Standard
KINGSTON – A new high-speed rail system that includes stations in Peterborough, Belleville, Kingston, and Brockville following the Highway 401 route could be less expensive and accommodate an additional 3.5 million passengers each year compared to Alto’s suggested northern route across the Canadian Shield, as indicated by a report commissioned by a tourism group in Kingston.
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The study prepared for Kingston Accommodation Partners by railway designer Michael Schabas and transportation expert Andrew Antinucci outlined a strong case for constructing a new high-speed rail line near Highway 401 while also creating stations that cater to local residents.
“The surprise to us was that not only did it make sense to go first up to Peterborough then back down to Kingston, it actually made sense to go to Belleville, to Kingston, and then to Brockville,” Schabas said in an interview. “It would actually be faster, cheaper, would make more money carry more passengers. That’s what people are surprised about.”
The report came as city officials campaigned for Kingston’s inclusion in any planned high-speed rail project while community groups from rural areas requested alternate routes that lessen environmental impacts on their communities.
The proposed route would see a high-speed rail line constructed along the north side of Highway 401 starting west of Belleville heading towards Gananoque before veering off near Brockville towards Ottawa.
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The alternative route wouldn’t enter Ottawa directly; however a spur line could connect with Canada’s capital. By avoiding Ottawa altogether, the express trip between Toronto and Montreal could actually take less than three hours-faster than Alto suggests.“Not just Kingston Belleville Brockv illebutwethinkthere’san netbenefitfor Ottawa There’sanetbenefitfor Prescott Russellbecauseourrouteavoids Prescott Russell Trailentirelyandbisectsconcessionlotlinesnot necessarilygoingthroughfarmerfields.”
While Altoleaders haveplayeddownpotentialbuildingclose Highway401 idea hasbeenendorsedby Kingston citycounciladvocacygroup s suchas Corridor Train Alliance Coalition Better Rail. Thishasnotloadedyet butyourarticlecontinuesbelow.Articlecontent
Theproposalfrom Schabas Antinuccicouldpartiallyaddressmanyoftheenvironmentalconcernsraisedbyopponentsof Altoprojectbyreducingimpactonthe Frontenac Arch Biosphere Napanee Plain
Schabaswaspartofa consortiumthatunsuccessfullybidforthefederalgovernmentcontracttodevelopthehighspeedrailproject
In Januaryhesubmittedreporttoa Senatecommitteethatdescribed Canadian Shield granite“nobs” wetland“bogs”asexpensivechallengingterraintobuild320km/hhighspeedraillineacross.
“Youknowwhat Highway7islike I wentanddrove routetheyweresuggestingjusttosee thattheywere suggesting,”hesaid “Idon’tthinktheyunderstandthere’sthisgiantgranitehereandthere’slake there Oneof them isalotofblastingtheselakesaredeep Youcan’tjustbridgethem becausethebottomsarefulloffive thousandyearsofpineneedles.”
Insteadheadvocatedinhis Januaryreportfor“optimal” routethatskirted Canadian Shieldcouldinclude stationat Murvalenear Kingston ’snortherncitylimit.
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In theirlatestreport Schabas Antinucciwroteanalternativeroutefollowing Highway401corridorcouldinclude stationevenclosertourbanpartofcity.
“Ifwecancome downhaveitcloserto Kingstonthat’sbetter Gardiners Roadmaybe that’sgoodplaceforstation,”Schabassaid. “
Kingsto n50yearsfromnowwhenit’sgrownacross Highway401it’sspreadout Amherstviewit’sgothalfmillionpeople Gardiners Roadkindsofinthemiddle.”
By extendingserviceto morepeoplealongroute shorteningtravel timesofferingtravelbetweencommunitiesonroute Schabasantin uccisaidthathighspeedrailnetworkcouldbecomemore financiallyviable.
“
It’sbitlikeplanes Youhavemanymorecheapseatsatthebackofthetrain,”Schabassaid.”Youdon’tgetcheapseatsifyoubookatthelastminute cheapseatsmightbeamiddleseatwithcoupleteenagersoneachsidewhohaven’twashed.”
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<THE averagefareon French Italianhighspeedtrainsactually30percentlowerthanitison Vi atoday he said Youwantnice seatbywindowpayforfirstclasscostsyoumore." Their proposalalsoaddressesfate conventionalrail servicethrougheast ern Ontario Ifahighspeedraillineisbuiltbetween Toronto Quebec Cityitsiphonsawaypassengersfrom Via Railmakingittoughstaybusiness Addingstations Belleville Kingston Brockvill ehelpsmaintainpassengerrailservicethroughmuchtheregion Schabassaid.
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