After years fighting to be included, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is thrilled the province has appointed a special advisor to examine the possibility of building a high-speed rail link between the city and Toronto.
The Ontario Liberal government appointed former Transport Minister David Collenette to the post last week.
The environmental assessment will include Windsor. The cost of a high-speed rail link has not yet been determined, but the Wynne government has pledged $130-billion over ten years for critical infrastructure projects across the province.
However, Dilkens tells residents they shouldn't expect to buy a ticket anytime soon.
"This is not something that's going to happen overnight, or even in the next three or four years. It's a very expensive project, and there's a lot of details that has to be sorted out in order to make it work."
As for what it could mean for passenger traffic at Windsor's airport, the city's only existing high-speed travel option to Toronto, Dilkens doubts it will any major impact.
"Some people don't like to fly."
Collenette will consult with private and public stakeholders, of which Windsor is one, along with First Nations. He'll also provide advice on a preliminary business case and potential financing models.
