Canada is currently experiencing a wave of railway and transit infrastructure development. The country’s top 10 ongoing and upcoming projects represent well over USD 70 billion in combined investment and more than 1,100 kilometers of new and upgraded rail infrastructure.

The Alto High-Speed Rail project is the top of the pipeline, a USD 42.52 to USD 63.78 billion initiative that will build an almost 1,000-kilometer high-speed corridor between Ontario and Quebec, supporting up to 51,000 jobs and moving an estimated 43 million passengers per year.

Canada’s largest metro areas are also seeing major urban transit expansions, including the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line, which will serve 388,000 riders a day, and the GO Expansion Program, which has already attracted USD 10.49 billion in investment and includes more than 200 rail assets across the Greater Toronto Area.

In Western Canada, the 16-kilometre Surrey Langley SkyTrain Extension, the USD 4.43 billion Green Line LRT Phase 1 in Calgary, and the 5.7-kilometre Broadway Subway Project are boosting mobility for growing populations and creating thousands of construction-related jobs.

Additional investments in the Scarborough Subway Extension, Yonge North Subway Extension, Valley Line West LRT, and Hazel McCallion LRT will add over 80 kilometres of new rapid transit infrastructure and improve connectivity for hundreds of thousands of commuters.

Collectively, these projects demonstrate Canada’s commitment to modernizing its transportation network, reducing congestion, supporting sustainable urban growth and improving long-term economic competitiveness.

The projects below represent the most strategically important railway construction initiatives currently under construction, in development, or moving toward procurement, based on official government and project-owner sources. The ranking is based on total investment, economic impact, regional/national importance, ridership & community benefits, and construction scale & complexity.

Top 10 Upcoming Railway Construction Projects in Canada – Ranked by Strategic Importance

Alto High-Speed Rail (Toronto–Québec City Corridor): Canada’s First High-Speed Rail Network

The Alto High-Speed Rail Project is the most transformative transportation initiative being planned in Canada today. The project will develop a dedicated high-speed passenger rail network linking Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City via approximately 1,000 kilometres of electrified railway.

Alto is designed to operate at speeds up to 300 km/h, significantly reducing trip duration between Canada's most populated economic corridor and providing an alternative to highway and air travel.

Alto High-Speed Rail Key Metrics

Current Status

Corridor studies and public consultation are underway. Route refinement and environmental reviews are still ongoing, and a narrowed Montréal–Ottawa corridor is expected by the end of 2026. Construction could begin as early as 2029–2030, subject to approvals, with the Ottawa–Montréal section starting first.

Economic and Community Benefits

Federal estimates suggest Alto could add as much as 1.1% a year to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP), while boosting domestic supply chains for steel, concrete, copper and railway materials. The project is also expected to improve housing accessibility, increase regional connectivity, reduce highway overcrowding, and create significant long-term economic opportunities.

Ontario Line Subway (Toronto): Toronto’s Largest Transit Expansion in Generations

The Ontario Line is a 15.6 km rapid transit subway with 15 new stations linking the Exhibition Place to the Ontario Science Centre area.

Construction is currently underway on multiple sections of the corridor, making it one of the most important transit projects under construction in Canada.

Ontario Line Subway Key Metrics

Economic Benefits

The Ontario Line is expected to generate thousands of construction jobs annually and dramatically improve labour mobility throughout the Greater Toronto Area. More than 57,000 additional jobs will become accessible within a 45-minute transit journey.

Community Benefits

The project will ease crowding at major transit hubs including Bloor-Yonge, Union and Eglinton stations, while providing quicker access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities.

GO Expansion Program (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area): Modernizing Canada’s Largest Commuter Rail Network

GO Expansion is one of the largest commuter rail modernization programs in North America. The initiative includes electrification, advanced signalling, track additions, station upgrades, and expanded all-day two-way service.

GO Expansion Key Investments

Strategic Importance

GO Expansion will transform regional mobility across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with increased service frequency, reduced transit time, and support for future economic growth.

Surrey Langley SkyTrain Extension (British Columbia): Transforming Transportation South of the Fraser River

The Surrey Langley SkyTrain Extension will take Metro Vancouver’s Expo Line 16 kilometres through one of the region’s fastest-growing areas.

Surrey Langley SkyTrain - Key Metrics

Growth and Development Benefits

The project will serve a region expected to add 420,000 residents and 147,000 jobs by 2050. Transit-oriented development around stations is expected to support housing growth and reduce dependence on private vehicles.

Community Benefits

The extension features dedicated cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, which helps to create healthier, more sustainable communities and better access to childcare, healthcare, and employment centres.

Broadway Subway Project (Vancouver): Serving Canada’s Second-Largest Employment Centre

The Broadway Subway Project will extend Vancouver’s Millennium Line westward to Arbutus Street through one of Canada’s busiest transit corridors.

Broadway Subway Project - Key Metrics

Current Status

Dynamic train testing started in May 2026, a major milestone ahead of the planned public opening in Fall 2027.

Economic Benefits

The Broadway Corridor contributed USD 9.92 billion annually (as reported in 2021) to Metro Vancouver’s economy. The project is expected to support future economic growth, innovation, research activities, and healthcare accessibility.

Green Line LRT Phase 1 (Calgary): Calgary’s Largest Infrastructure Project

The Green Line LRT is Calgary’s largest transit investment ever and one of the most significant light rail developments in Canada.

Green Line LRT - Key Metrics

Current Status

The southeast section is under construction, with over USD 2.13 billion in additional tenders expected to be released to the market.

Benefits

The project improves the connectivity of southeast Calgary and downtown and supports long-term urban development and economic growth.

Valley Line West LRT (Edmonton): Expanding Edmonton’s Urban Rail Network

The Valley Line West is the second phase of Edmonton’s Valley Line program and will extend rapid transit from downtown to Lewis Farms.

Valley Line West - Key Metrics

Benefits

The project will improve access to public transit across western Edmonton and support future residential and commercial growth. It also has major supporting infrastructure, including maintenance and storage facilities.

Scarborough Subway Extension (Toronto): Replacing Aging Transit Infrastructure

The Scarborough Subway Extension will extend Line 2 almost eight kilometres further into eastern Toronto, replacing the former Scarborough RT system.

Scarborough Subway Extension - Key Metrics

Benefits

The extension will greatly improve access to employment, education, and commercial centres and will support residential and commercial development throughout Scarborough.

Yonge North Subway Extension: Connecting Toronto and York Region

The Yonge North Subway Extension will extend Line 1 about eight kilometres north into Richmond Hill and York Region.

Yonge North Subway Extension - Key Metrics

Benefits

The project will improve regional integration, ease congestion and support economic development across one of Canada’s fastest-growing suburban regions.

Hazel McCallion LRT (Mississauga–Brampton): Transforming Mobility Across Peel Region

The Hazel McCallion Line (renamed in 2022 to honour the late Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion), previously called the Hurontario LRT, will provide a modern, fully electric transit system connecting Mississauga and Brampton.

Hazel McCallion - Key Metrics

Benefits

The project will reduce travel times and greenhouse gas emissions, support transit-oriented development and provide a sustainable transportation choice for one of Canada’s fastest-growing urban corridors.

Why Canada’s Railway Construction Pipeline Matters

Canada’s rail and transit investments are increasingly aligned with four national priorities:

Economic Growth: Major projects are expected to improve labour mobility, improve productivity, generate thousands of jobs, and attract private-sector investment.

Housing Development: Many projects are employing transit-oriented development strategies that accommodate higher-density housing and more efficient land use around stations.

Environmental Sustainability: Electrified rail systems and expanded transit networks are essential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting Canada’s climate goals.

Community Connectivity: Better access to jobs, education, healthcare, and commercial centres improves quality of life and alleviates overcrowding and journey time.

Conclusion

The railway construction projects underway in Canada are among the largest transportation infrastructure programs in the country’s history, with combined investments of more than USD 70 billion. From the transformative Alto High-Speed Rail network and Toronto’s Ontario Line to major transit expansions in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Mississauga and York Region, these projects are transforming how Canadians move within cities and between regions.

These developments will improve transportation and are expected to open up housing opportunities, create tens of thousands of jobs, stimulate economic growth, reduce emissions, and improve accessibility for millions of residents. As construction accelerates throughout the remainder of the decade, Canada’s pipeline of railway infrastructure will remain a crucial driver of long-term economic competitiveness and sustainable urban development.

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