A former federal transport minister has been tasked with helping make high-speed rail a reality along the Highway 401 corridor.

The provincial government announced Friday that David Collenette had been named a special advisor to the project.

In that role, Collenette will focus on examining high-speed rail networks around the world, and advising on a potential business case and funding models for the project.

High-speed rail was first promised in the lead-up to the 2014 provincial election.

Glen Murray, then Ontario’s transportation minister, said the system would travel between Toronto’s Union Station and London in 71 minutes, with stops at Pearson Airport and in Waterloo Region.

Windsor has since been added to the route.