Ontario Completes North Bay Rail Bypass; Updates on Northlander Service Projects

The Ontario government announced on September 15, 2025, that construction of the North Bay Rail Bypass is complete. According to the province, the 982-metre new segment of track is intended to support the return of the Northlander passenger rail service by allowing trains to avoid the North Bay Rail Yard. The province said this change is expected to reduce travel times to North Bay Station by 15 minutes.

According to provincial information, the Northlander service is planned to connect Toronto and Timmins, with a rail link to Cochrane and a total of 16 stops along the route. The Ontario government stated that the bypass is designed to keep Northlander passenger trains separated from freight operations by Canadian National Railway, Ottawa Valley Railway, and Ontario Northland.

According to the Ontario government, $5.7 million was invested in the construction of the North Bay Rail Bypass. In July 2025, the province announced a contract award for building the new Timmins-Porcupine Station, which is to serve both Northlander trains and Ontario Northland motor coach services. In June 2025, the province awarded a contract to EllisDon to reconstruct platforms and install prefabricated shelters at train stops along the corridor from South River to Washago. According to a December 2024 announcement, a separate contract covers platform reconstruction and shelter installation at stops from North Bay to Cochrane. The province announced in May 2024 that three contracts were awarded for the design and manufacture of nine new Northlander station shelters, as well as upgrades to rail safety and warning systems along the route.

Chad Evans, CEO of Ontario Northland, stated that the completion of the North Bay Rail Bypass “marks an important milestone” for returning the Northlander service. Peter Chirico, Mayor of North Bay, described the bypass as an investment that would improve travel times and benefit local tourism and industry.