Local leaders in Kingston and South Frontenac are collaborating to contest the proposed route for the multibillion-dollar Alto rail project, which they believe jeopardizes the agricultural and environmental welfare of their regions. In a joint statement, the mayors Bryan Paterson and Ron Vandewal, together with the advocacy group Save South Frontenac, highlighted the significance of aligning the rail corridor with Highway 401 instead of the currently proposed route. They contend that utilizing existing transport infrastructure would help preserve the region's critical ecosystems and agricultural land, minimizing unnecessary ecological disruption.

The mayors' coalition is emphasizing the importance of having a stop in Kingston as part of the Alto project. Kingston serves as a regional hub, supporting access to health care, education, and innovation, making a station there not only practical but essential for local residents. The proposed alignment, they argue, fails to recognize Kingston's strategic role in connecting communities and providing essential services, which could severely limit the project's overall effectiveness and community support.

This opposition underscores a growing concern among local officials regarding large infrastructure projects that do not adequately consider their impact on the environment and local economies. The mayors are calling on the federal government to reassess the project's routing to better align with community interests and sustainability goals, reflecting a broader trend of advocacy for environmentally-conscious development in Canada.