RC124 MayJun 2026 - Magazine - Page 11
Regarding the speci昀椀c path the trains will take, Imbleau
asked for patience. While Union Station in Toronto is absolutely
being considered, it is not the only option on the table given the
density and complexity of downtown Toronto. The technical
requirements of high-speed rail are rigid; trains traveling at 300
km/h require very straight alignments with only gentle curves.
This limits 昀氀exibility in layout and necessitates careful coordination with various levels of government and local landowners.
Respectful land access and collaboration
As the project moves toward picking a precise alignment, the
approach to land access will be critical. Alto is committed
to acting with respect toward landowners, recognizing that
concerns di昀昀er between dense urban environments, suburban communities, and farmland.
The priority said Imbleau is to reach “willing seller,
willing buyer” agreements. While expropriation remains
a necessary tool to ensure the project meets its promises
to all Canadians, it will be used as a last resort to move
transactions forward in a defensible way.
“Alto will succeed if and only if it is built in collaboration
with communities,” Imbleau emphasized. This is why the
project has launched a three-month public consultation
phase across the corridor. Listening to the public before
昀椀nal decisions are made is essential for creating clarity and
ensuring the project serves the needs of those it impacts.
The Road Ahead
The timeline for Alto is ambitious but doable if
preparation starts today, said Imbleau.
Following the launch of public consultations, Imbleau
stated that the next several years are meticulously
mapped out:
2026 Public consultations, re昀椀ning the alignment, and
presenting a precise proposal to communities.
2027-28 Intensive engineering work and securing necessary
environmental and building permits.
2029 Market preparation, awarding contracts, utility work,
and 昀椀rst underground activities.
2030 Commencement of construction in the Quebec,
Ottawa, and Montreal segments.
Imbleau concluded by acknowledging that the road will
not be easy. It will test the country’s coordination across
jurisdictions and its capacity to stay the course over many
years. However, the end goal—24 million trips a year and
24 million new connections—is a prize that Canada cannot
a昀昀ord to ignore.
By moving from study to action, Imbleau believes
Alto is not just building a rail line; it is building a more
productive, connected, and prosperous Canada for
generations to come.
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