Consultant preparing business case for a Smiths Falls high-speed rail station
SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls council is exploring whether the town could secure a stop on Canada’s proposed Alto high-speed rail network.
Chief administrative officer Malcolm Morris told council March 9 that the municipality has hired a consultant.
“We have commissioned a consultant to help us build a business case for a station in Smiths Falls,” Morris said. “We’re diligently working on that right now.”
The findings are expected to be presented to council at the March 23 committee of the whole meeting.
Morris said the work follows a recent meeting with Alto representatives as the federal Crown corporation continues public consultations on the project.
“They are in the midst of their public engagement sessions,” Morris said. “Mr. Grenke and I were invited to a session (March 3) to talk about the project and get some of our questions answered.”
Town planner Karl Grenke attended the meeting with Morris.
The following day, Alto held a public consultation session in Perth that drew a large turnout of residents concerned about the project.
Council previously heard from Alto representatives on Dec. 8 when the agency outlined seven planned stations along the proposed high-speed rail network.
“Council will recall when Alto came on Dec. 8 and presented, they identified the seven stops that are part of the project,” Morris said.
He said Alto also indicated that additional stations could be considered if municipalities present a strong case.
“They also indicated that if a strong business case were made for other stations, the federal government may consider it,” Morris said.
Regional concerns growing
The proposed rail project, which would connect Toronto and Quebec City, is currently undergoing federal impact assessment and public consultation.
At the same time, several municipalities across eastern Ontario have expressed concerns about corridor options under study.
South Frontenac council has voted unanimously to oppose the project, citing concerns about farmland impacts and the potential to divide rural communities.
Locally, Rideau Lakes, Perth, Drummond-North Elmsley and Beckwith have also passed motions opposing proposed routes.
“With the limited information and consultation that has been provided to date, the Council of the Township of Beckwith does not support the proposed northern corridor going through its township,” Reeve Richard Kidd said in a statement posted on the township’s website.
Kidd attended the Alto consultation session in Perth, which drew more than 1,000 residents. “One of my takeaways is that it could be up to two years before they choose a preferred route.”
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