GTA Construction News staff writer
Alto and its private development partner Cadence have launched a national outreach effort to Canadian steel producers as planning advances for the country’s first high-speed rail network.
Construction is targeted to begin in four years, with pre-procurement activity starting in 2026.
The companies say they plan to meet with steel industry leaders in the coming weeks to assess domestic interest, capacity and readiness to supply the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of steel needed for the project. The engagement is intended to help shape a procurement strategy that prioritizes Canadian suppliers and strengthens domestic supply-chain resilience.
Aiming to source as many project components as possible from domestic manufacturers, the high-speed rail network requires more than 4,000 kilometres of steel rail along with large volumes of structural beams, catenary systems and other essential materials.
The Alto rail line is being called “Canada’s largest infrastructure project.” Legislative changes will be needed to “streamline approvals and reduce regulatory uncertainty.” Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in September that the government would fast-track engineering and regulatory work on the project to get construction underway within four years. Alto will also be subject to the new “Buy Canadian Policy,” mandating the use domestic suppliers.
Alto says few recent Canadian infrastructure projects have demanded materials at this scale. Company officials say the procurement process represents a major opportunity for Canada’s steel and manufacturing sectors to expand capacity, modernize and prepare for long-term growth.
“This initiative is one of Canada’s largest infrastructure investments in decades. It is about strengthening our country by building more here at home,” Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said. “This new high-speed rail network will be transformational. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect Canadians in new ways while creating a new industry and high-quality jobs.”
Alto president and CEO Martin Imbleau said early engagement with suppliers is essential as planning accelerates. “We’re inviting the industry to engage early, to prepare, to build capacity and to modernize to meet the scale of this project. The time to get ready is now,” he said.
Cadence general manager Daniel Farina said Canadian firms should expect procurement processes to move quickly. “We will need huge quantities of steel, and we want Canadian steelmakers to be ready to respond to requests for proposals, because they are coming fast,” he said.
The Alto network will span nearly 1,000 kilometres between Toronto and Quebec City and operate at speeds of 300 km/h or more. The project is expected to create more than 50,000 construction jobs, improve productivity by as much as $35 billion annually and support Canada’s climate goals.
The federal government has designated Alto as a transformative national initiative and will provide support through the Major Projects Office.
