October 21, 2011
Smiths Falls and VIA Rail officially open new station built through Government of Canada funding
Smiths Falls, ON – Today, His Worship Dennis Staples, Mayor of Smiths Fall and VIA Rail Canada’s Senior Director, Real Estate, Magdy Fahmy officially opened Smiths Falls’ new train station. Funding for this $750,000 project came from the Government of Canada’s $923 million investment in VIA Rail for improvements to its facilities, equipment and infrastructure, including $407 million through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“The completion of projects like Smiths Falls’ new station shows the positive results being achieved for both rail passengers and the community of Smiths Falls through Government of Canada funding to VIA”, said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State for Transport. “It also underlines this Government’s commitment to revitalize passenger rail service and support economic development in the region.”
VIA Rail’s new Smiths Falls station, which began serving passengers in early August, is fully accessible and located just north of downtown. With its distinctive tower, the new station has been designed to blend in with the historic character of Smiths Falls. Its new location will also lead to smoother and improved rail service at this important stop on VIA’s busy Ottawa to Toronto route.
“Trains in Smiths Falls have a long and proud history, connecting people and businesses here with the rest of Canada since the first train arrived in 1859”, said Mayor Staples. “On behalf of all the citizens of this great town, I am proud to be able to play a part in this new station’s official inauguration, and want to thank the government and VIA Rail for this important contribution to our town’s continuing prosperity.”
Senior Director Fahmy added, “These investments are helping to ensure that Canadians have a passenger rail service that is safe, fast and more reliable. VIA is very pleased that the citizens of Smiths Falls are going to be a part of this new era in rail travel.”
To learn more about VIA Rail please visit viarail.ca.
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