The federal government has awarded a consortium a $3.9-billion contract to develop a fully electric high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City.

The $3.9 billion, to be distributed over six years, is just for the first phase of the project, known as Alto, which will cost considerably more to complete. The project has widespread industrial and commercial real estate development implications.

It will include a number of new stations along the 1,000-kilometre route.

“It’s a project fit for Canada: big and bold,” said Trudeau during a Montreal news conference Wednesday.

Trudeau said it will also be “the largest infrastructure project in Canadian history.”

A Crown corporation, also known as Alto, will co-develop the project with the consortium, which is known as Cadence and includes Air Canada and AtkinsRéalis (formerly called SNC Lavalin), CDPQ Infra, Keolis, SYSTRA and SNCF Voyageurs. 

Transport Minister Anita Anand said during the news conference that the $3.9 billion will go towards designing new track, aligning its route, choosing train station locations, meeting regulatory requirements, studies, and consultation with Indigenous communities.

Pictured: An example of what a future Alto high-speed train could look like.

Rendering: Systech