Amtrak train departs from Chicago on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. Amtrak is eyeing a connection between its Detroit lines and Via Rail tracks, paving the way for potential passenger service linking Toronto and Chicago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Charles Rex Arbogast
Windsor, Ontario's mayor, Drew Dilkens, has brought attention to a renewed initiative by Amtrak and Via Rail to establish a cross-border rail connection, reviving passenger service between Toronto and Chicago by the late 2020s.
Last week, Dilkens shed light on the proposal, revealing a "fact sheet" from the railroad operators. According to the document, the goal is to link two major North American cities by late 2027, connecting 21 other communities along the way. Of these stops, ten are in Ontario, including Toronto, Brantford, London, and Windsor.
The internal document outlines an estimated annual ridership of 66,500 passengers, averaging 182 per day, for a once-daily round trip between Toronto and Chicago. Beyond emphasizing economic benefits, the plan includes track upgrades, crossing improvements, and the establishment of a joint customs facility at Via Rail's Windsor station.
Via Rail confirmed engaging in private discussions with Amtrak and other partners to explore the possibility of reconnecting Windsor and Detroit through the long-dormant corridor. However, Via Rail clarified that it has not released the project fact sheet shared by some media outlets and deems it premature to discuss the project publicly.
While Mayor Dilkens mentioned that Amtrak and Via Rail would cover the project's costs, Via Rail stated that it has not made funding requests or commitments for financing the initiative. Amtrak, on the other hand, verified ongoing conversations with local, state, and provincial officials regarding the proposed route.
This endeavor to restore a rail connection between Toronto and Michigan traces back to 2019 when Amtrak initially sought to revive the 113-year-old Detroit River Rail Tunnel. With the recent approval of the US$1.2-trillion infrastructure bill by the Biden administration, which allocates a significant portion—$66 billion—to passenger rail, there is renewed optimism for the revitalization of rail services. Notably, this marks the most substantial investment in the sector since Amtrak's establishment in 1971.
The proposed route faces a challenge, considering the aging Detroit River Rail Tunnel, owned by Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. Any service through this underwater route, inactive for passenger trains since 1967, would require approval from the tunnel's owner, adding a crucial element to the feasibility of the project.
