The $US 325m project will replace 80-year-old signalling on the section of line between the Don River in the east and Strachan Avenue in the west. The corridor is currently equipped with 228 signals and 221 points controlling 40km of track.

The new system consists of Alstom's Integrated Vital Processor Interlocking technology, point machines and all associated and supporting electrical, power and communications sub-systems. Components will be manufactured at Alstom's plant in Rochester, New York.

Metrolinx has awarded a technical consultation services contract to Hatch Mott MacDonald, while Plan Group will be responsible for electrical enabling works. Work is due to begin next year and the project will be completed in 2019.

Union Station is the largest station in Toronto and the second largest in North America, serving over 250,000 people per day and providing connections with commuter, inter-city, metro, light rail and bus services. Passenger traffic is expected to double at the station over the next 20 years and the signalling upgrade is considered a key project to cope with this demand.