‘Very large question mark’: Decision on Kingston Alto rail stop won’t come until 2027
Kingston remains “promising” as a potential stop on the Alto high-speed rail corridor, but an official decision may have to wait until spring, the crown corporation said.
The federal government has announced that a decision on whether Kingston will be a stop on the Alto high-speed rail corridor will not be made until spring 2027. Kingston remains a "promising" potential stop, according to the Crown corporation, but an official decision may have to wait until next year. Robert Prichard, chair of the Alto board of directors, stated that while the city has made a strong case for inclusion, a feasibility assessment is still needed to determine the impact of adding a stop in Kingston.
Each additional stop extends the journey time and affects the number of passengers added to the trip, Prichard explained. While Peterborough is the only stop officially announced by Alto, other eastern Ontario communities like Smiths Falls and Perth will still have access through the high-speed rail's intersection with VIA Rail.
Opponents of the rail system, however, argue that residents directly affected by the line deserve answers and concerns. Heather Levy, local lead of Stone Mills Against Alto, expressed concerns about the potential consequences for farmers and rural property owners in Lennox and Addington and South Frontenac townships. The concern is particularly great for those who fear losing homes, farmland, and permanently altering rural communities.
Alto CEO Martin Imbleau stated that the company's first priority is the Ottawa to Montreal corridor, so the earliest a decision on Kingston would be made is spring 2027. Alto will continue listening to residents' concerns and plans to have new consultations next year.
Written by urgent.news from Global News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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