Speak Up for High-Speed Rail Near Kingston

If residents living between Belleville and Brockville, Ont., want high-speed rail closer to their towns, now’s the time to make your voices heard.

That’s the word from local officials who represent areas along a second proposed path for the planned 1,000-kilometre rail line that curves southward, coming nearer to eastern Ontario cities like Kingston.

“If there is overwhelming support for this southern route, it’s going to be hard for Alto to justify why not to go with that route,” said Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen.

Gerretsen mentioned he’s been hearing about high-speed rail for ten years, and during that time he’s also listened to constituents frustrated that it might bypass their area.

However, as Alto, the Crown corporation in charge of the project, began public consultations, a new option appeared: a second track slightly further south.

Southern Route Closer to Urban Areas

The map displays two options. The first follows a nearly straight path from Toronto to Ottawa before extending on to Montreal and Quebec City.

The second shows a route dipping down around Peterborough, Ont., bringing trains within a 15-minute drive from downtown Belleville and about 30 minutes from Kingston and Brockville.

A map on Alto’s website shows two routes, one which runs essentially straight from Toronto to Ottawa and beyond, while the other dips down toward Belleville, Kingston and Brockville. (Alto)

Gerretsen called it a “smart move” given Kingston’s position between Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, along with the number of students, workers and travelers needing access to those larger centers.

“I’m very relieved they’re talking about this, but that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed,” he said,” adding it’s up to residents – whether they like the plan or not – to ensure their opinions are voiced.

As of Tuesday afternoon, dozens had left comments on Alto’s website.

Challenges of Second Route: MP

One factor will be the farmland and ecologically important areas that a second route would cross over as well as popular paths like the Cataraqui Trail which follows an old railbed.

Alto CEO Martin Imbleau was asked about that trail during an interview with Ottawa Morning but didn’t provide a direct answer.

“You try to follow existing corridors; you try to limit impact on properties. But then again, it has to be as direct as possible,” Imbleau explained.

A spokesperson for the Nature Conservancy of Canada said they won’t comment on potential routes since they’re still conceptual at this stage.

Gerretsen emphasized it’s “important not to assume what’s going to be disrupted at this point.”

Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen says it makes sense for the train to run closer to heavily populated areas. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

He added that while challenges likely lie ahead for this southern route due especially through busier regions.., “The northern route is certainly going have less complexity in terms of construction.” He noted‘In order for Alto’‘s decision-making process regarding proximity towards Kingston area’s zone could come from public feedback.”....b.Catskill Catskill Catskills.(“I think it makes logical sense if they do consider exploring more into this southern pathway so eventually they’ll need stop near‘Kingston.’“, he concluded.)

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