Ontario Acquiring More Railway to Help Deliver Fast, Reliable Northlander Service

March 13, 2026

The government has successfully acquired 205 kilometres of railway between North Bay and Washago, marking another milestone in the province’s plan to bring back Northlander passenger rail service to Northeastern Ontario.

The acquisition, which was completed in late February through a $138 million investment, secures a dedicated rail corridor that will improve on-time performance and reliability, create good-paying jobs and drive economic growth across the north. While passenger rail service will be prioritized on the track, the acquisition will also support timely freight rail traffic, with freight revenues directed back to the provincial Crown corporation Ontario Northland.

News Releases:

En: More Railway

Fr: Encore plus de chemins de fer