That's an exaggeration of the difficulty of the terrain. The Canadian Shield is really only from east of Tweed to west of Perth, a distance of roughly 80 km. The rest of the route is largely farmland with lots of concession road crossings. For example, here's where the current trail crosses
County Road 38 near Springbrook. Not exactly rugged or uninhabited.
As far as we know, the JPO mandate is upgrading the existing line Agincourt-Havelock and restoring the once-built ROW Havelock-Perth substantially "as it was", albeit with a few curves improved, better superelevation, and modern signalling. And adding a dedicated VIA track Perth-Smiths Falls.
I'm dubious that the plan now involves some different route selection. That could necessitate new consultations, EA study, engineering, and land acquisition. And, new segments might take longer to build than the simpler restoration of the old ROW, especially if they are targeted to HSR standard.
Assuming a more HSR like line, with a whole different price point, also forces a whole new look at the economics of the line. That's also rework at this point.
So, while I have had lots to say about HFR's deficiencies, I'm more worried that some change in scope (even if promptly funded and launched) might lead to a later in-service date, by a year or two. I would be happier if anything that looks like a first bit of construction towards HSR were deferred in the interest of getting HFR Phase I launched and built.
I'm still not convinced that McKenna/Sabia have the floor sufficiently to redirect the decision away from HFR, in fact the "leak" may have been sour grapes if the decision leans to HFR as proposed.
- Paul
PS - If we are indeed heading for a new route selection, with the envelope no longer limited to that basic de minimus investment in the well known alignment, then I'm quite happy to offer straw man proposals within a similar scope (ie 80 km of new route selection, 15 miles of new track alongside existing CP/CN track in a shared ROW, restoration of 32 miles of abandoned ROW, upgrading of 120ish miles of existing worn-out trackage). I would likely swap the cost of 120+32 for the cost of some number of additional new miles of track alongside freight trackage, and look for an 80 km new track stretch through more favourable terrain than Tweed-Perth. For now, I won't go there unless Ottawa does.
