South Frontenac group opposes proposed high-speed rail line

Members of Save South Frontenac are worried about the impact the project would have on environment and private property.

While there have been calls to have a proposed high-speed rail line stop in Kingston, one group is voicing their concerns over the project.

Save South Frontenac is a group that is opposing the construction of the proposed Alto rail line that will see 1,000 kms of track installed between Toronto and Quebec City.

Katie Koopman is the group's committee lead and a resident of South Frontenac.

She says they started a Facebook group but are looking to grow their base.

The proposed route would cut across an area about 100 kms north of Kingston. But there is a branch from the mainline that would see the route go through an area around 50 kms north of the city.

In addition to the environmental impact, Koopman says residents are worried that their properties would be expropriated in order for the rail line to be built.

Koopman adds the area where the line is to be built is currently home to agriculture and other environmentally sensitive land.

The group is also arguing the idea that there needs to be a high-speed rail line connecting communities in Eastern Ontario.

Koopman says there is no evidence to suggest people would benefit from this.

Koopman adds there is current infrastructure in place that is not being used and is putting the blame on federal rail legislation.

Alto has added South Frontenac to the list of locations where public information sessions will take place. There will be two sessions happening on Feb 18 at 11 am and 5 pm at the Storrington Lions Club.

Story by Ken Hashizume