The Canadian Government is set to invest C$102.5m ($77.6m) over the next two years to improve the safety and efficiency of passenger operations on the Ottawa-Montreal rail corridor.

The announcement was made by Canadian Transport Minister Lisa Raitt and Via Rail president and CEO Yves Desjardins-Siciliano.

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The investment will support several infrastructure projects which aim to increase the reliability of the service by reducing delays for users.

"This investment will keep our rail transportation system safe and efficient for Via’s Rail customers."

The funding follows Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s C$5.8bn ($4.4bn) announcement for infrastructure investments in November last year.

Following completion of these projects, travel time between Ottawa and Montreal will improve as these infrastructure improvements will reduce delays.

Over the next two years, these infrastructure projects are expected to create more than 2,000 jobs.

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The government provides more than C$300m ($228m) in annual funding to support Via’s operations.

Raitt said: "This investment will keep our rail transportation system safe and efficient for Via’s Rail customers."

The funding will be used by Via Rail to modify Renaissance car fleet for use on Ottawa-Montreal services to provide a consistent level of service, improve access for passengers with disabilities, and replace older equipment.

The project will also see track and structures upgraded, with continuous-welded rail replacing jointed track at various locations, while a new passing loop will be built at Barrhaven to improve operations at the Ottawa end of the line.

In order to improve the efficiency and safety of operations, signalling and centralised traffic control will be modernised, while Ottawa station will be repaired with increased platform heights to improve access for passengers.

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