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High Speed Rail: London - Kitchener-Waterloo - Pearson Airport - Toronto

It's still just an EA, a study to study the viability of a study that was completed 10 years ago. I won't believe HSR in any form is happening in ONT until the contracts are issued and new locomotives/train sets are ordered.
 
ShonTron said:
Canada leads the world in High Speed Rail Studies!
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Woodbridge_Heights said:
It's still just an EA, a study to study the viability of a study that was completed 10 years ago. I won't believe HSR in any form is happening in ONT until the contracts are issued and new locomotives/train sets are ordered.
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Here's what could happen*
(half humor, but also unfortunately half serious**)

- 2015-2069: Lots of delays will happen, to kick the symbollic football to the next government. Excuses and back-patting abound; pretending things are still proceeding (slowly).
- 2020s: GO RER electricification successfully completes to Kitchener within 10-15 years.
- 2020s: At least one obligatory symbollic HSR cancellation (electricification goes ahead anyway, under GO RER excuse) followed by a resurrection of HSR. Metrolinx announced as operator of future HSR under a new subsidary alongside Presto and UPX.
- 2020s: At least one obligatory survival cycle through an anti-HSR government.
- 2020s: Metrolinx announces a 250kph "GO RER HSR Express" Kitchener-Toronto (or insert catchy SmartTrack-style brand name) on existing GO RER ROW. Mentions upcoming London extension in 2030s and a Windsor planned "shortly thereafter".
- 2031: GO RER HSR Kitchener Express became operationally-profitable in 2031, having started operating in 2029. It pays for the big losses of the expensive unprofitable UPX Express.
- 2039 (approx): GO RER HSR finally electricifies to London, partially with new dedicated ROW from expropriated land
- 2040s: Jilted Windsor makes the HSR extension an election issue
- 2040s (late): USA finally electricifies Empire Corridor*** Buffalo-NYC
- 2050s: Ontario finishes electricifying GO RER all the way to Niagara Falls, after many delays.
- 2050s: Some future federal government gets pissed off and funds HSR Toronto-Ottawa before poor Windsor happens.
- 2050s: Acela Express runs NYC-Niagara Falls. Amtrak-VIA discusses an Acela Maple Express. Feds electricifies Niagara bridge to connect electrified Empire Corridor to the electrified GO RER Niagara corridor.
- 2060s: Windsor finally gets HSR -- one year after Acela Maple Express train arrives at Toronto Union from New York City in a mere few hours (custom clearance sped up by onboard US Customs Robots and seatback videoconferences that eliminates stop at border).

* Assuming random colors in consecutive future provincial governments (red, blue, orange, green, or polka dotted) :p
** This is purely hypothetical. Personally, I hope full HSR route is an economic breakeven-plus reality in the 2030s
*** Did you know in year 1891, Buffalo had a bigger population than today? And that Empire Express had a top speed of 82mph; and brought you from Buffalo to New York City in 7 hours in regularly scheduled express passenger service -- faster than car, and far faster than today's Amtrak train. Nearly HSR the 19th century!
 
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Ontario is taking the next step to build a high-speed rail line that will connect Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto, which will improve travel options, reduce travel time and create jobs by getting people moving.

The start of an environmental assessment (EA) marks the next phase of the project, which includes identifying the most appropriate route, examining state-of-the-art transportation technology options and an environmental impact evaluation.

The EA will be guided by consultations in early 2015 with municipal and business groups, as well as with First Nation and Métis communities.
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..
 
This interesting as Windsor was never mentioned before. This line {as the name of this thread can attest} was just to London but I'm glad it will be potentially extended to Windsor.

Windsor needs a fast option to London and Toronto and serves as a connection to Detroit and Chicago.
 
They have been mentioning Windsor for a while now, but always as phase 2. Initially it will be London-Toronto constructed.
 
TheTigerMaster said:
What are your concerns?
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That if any part of the route goes near or through land they've claimed that it will draw out the process for a very long time. We'll give up on the idea just due to apathy after enough time passes.
 
ehlow said:
EA will take 4-6 years??? Sigh...
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It needs to be at least 4 years so they can do absolutely nothing in this session, and then either re-make the same promise, or change their promise to something completely different.
 
ehlow said:
EA will take 4-6 years??? Sigh...
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reaperexpress said:
Wouldn't want it to be finished too soon, that might create pressure to fund actual construction while the current government is still in power.
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Or maybe it's expectation management? They just got into office with a majority government, I don't know why they would even bother starting an EA if they're not serious about HSR.
 
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