Construction Underway on Northlander’s Timmins Porcupine Station
Province marking major milestone in plan to bring back the Northlander
The Ontario government has awarded a contract to build Timmins-Porcupine Station, marking a significant step in the province’s work to bring back Northlander passenger rail service between Timmins and Toronto. The northern terminal station for the Northlander will support northern industries, the resource sector and tourism, helping to support economic growth and keep thousands of people on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.
“Our government is getting shovels in the ground on this critical station, delivering on our promise to bring back the Northlander and better connect northern communities to jobs, health care and opportunity,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “It’s all part of our plan to protect Ontario in the face of unprecedented U.S. tariffs. We’re supporting northern industries and the resource sector, unlocking economic growth and investing in infrastructure that builds a stronger, more resilient future for Ontario.”
Early work construction is currently underway on the platform, parking area and a passenger waiting area. Once complete, the Timmins-Porcupine Station will be a modern station with accessible washrooms, varied seating and a ticket counter. Outdoor features will include an accessible platform, motor coach bays, parking, pedestrian pathways, a taxi stand and a designated passenger pickup and drop-off area.
“The Northlander will fundamentally shift how people move across the province, creating more connections to the province’s integrated transportation network,” said Chad Evans, Chief Executive Officer at Ontario Northland. “The Northlander will provide improved access to essential services, such as health care and education, while supporting economic prosperity and tourism in the region, strengthening the connection between the north and the south.”
Work is also underway along the Northlander track to adjust curves to ensure the train runs at higher speeds and with fewer disruptions. Once reinstated, the Northlander will provide southbound service leaving from Timmins and northbound service leaving from Toronto, up to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands. There will be 16 stops in both directions, including a rail connection to Cochrane.
