The Leeds Grenville Council passed a resolution on March 19, 2026, to formally object to a federal high-speed rail proposal. The move comes as local leaders also monitor separate provincial plans to modify Highway 401 in the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
Local leaders expressed worry that the ALTO high-speed rail line, which could cost between $60 billion and $90 billion, might cut through local farms and protected environmental areas. This objection follows a similar move by Brockville city council on March 10, 2026, which asked the federal government to focus on improving existing train services instead of building a new line. Local representatives, including MP Michael Barrett, have warned that the proposal could split properties in half with fences and “orphan” sections of land.
At the same time, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is moving forward with a planning study for a 10.1-kilometre stretch of Highway 401. This study looks at replacing the bridge at Shanly Road, improving interchanges, and making room to eventually expand the highway to six lanes.
Residents in the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal will have the chance to review these highway plans during a public meeting in the spring or summer of 2026. Local officials are pushing for more consultation to ensure that these large infrastructure projects do not harm property owners or slow down emergency service response times in the region.
