Freight train study funded

Federal, provincial governments providing $130K to look at possibility of running more freight service on Peterborough train line

There could soon be more freight trains travelling between Peterborough and Toronto, if a new study makes the case for increased capacity.

The forthcoming study is expected to look at the freight requirements and considerwhether rail improvements-and added capacity are needed along the Peterborough-Toronto-Havelock-Blue Mountain line.

On Thursday, the provincial and federal governments both announced funding for a study.

Status of Women Minister Mary am Monsef, MP for Peterborough announced $65,000 from the feds (on behalf of Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi).

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal, MPP for Peterborough, announced a further $65,000 from the province.

Monsef stated in a press release that the study could be a first step toward increased freight rail services.

“A better understanding of economic, environmental and social impacts of infrastructure projects like this one will help protect our environment, support the creation of new jobs and grow our economy,” she stated.

Leal stated in the same release that he’s happy to see support for developing a project to potentially boost the service.

“This is an important step to ensure reliable freight service in our community,” he stated.

Meanwhile there was a plan more than a year ago to add a passenger rail service between Toronto and Quebec City with a stop in Peterborough.

Via Rail CEO and president Yves Desjardins-Siciliano spoke about his idea at a public speech at The Venue in November 2016.

He said that if the plan is approved by the federal government, the train could start running in 2020.

Via Rail discontinued its Toronto Peterborough passenger rail service in 1989 because it was losing too much money on each passenger. Although politicians and business leaders tried to revive the service in 2008, it never happened.