The Canadian government has hired María Luisa Domínguez, former president of Adif, as Chief Project Management Officer of Via HFR.
The state-owned company will be responsible for designing and building a 1,000-kilometre corridor between Quebec City and Toronto, the country’s two largest cities, the largest transport infrastructure project in the country’s history.
With an estimated budget of between 53 billion and 80 billion euros, the project aims to connect major Canadian cities at speeds of between 200 km/h and 300 km/h. Apart from those already mentioned, High Frequency Rail will also connect Montreal, Ottawa and Peterborough among others.
Domínguez, with more than 26 years of experience in Adif, brings valuable knowledge in the development of high-speed rail.
The project is at a crucial stage, with the imminent selection of the private partner for the financing, construction and operation of the corridor. Among the finalist consortia is Intercity Rail Developers, in which Spain’s Renfe is present.
If the end of Justin Trudeau’s government does not derail the project, it is estimated to take 10 years to develop; half for design and half for construction.