The federal government announced a $136,000 grant on Friday for a feasibility study into improving the existing railway connection between Ottawa and Pembroke. (CBC)

A commuter train linking Renfrew County, the Pontiac region of west Quebec and the city of Ottawa took a step closer to becoming a reality on Friday.

The federal government announced a $136,000 grant for a feasibility study into improving the existing railway connection between Ottawa and Pembroke. Currently, one freight train a week travels along the Canadian National-owned tracks west of the national capital.

Transport Pontiac-Renfrew, the group that's pushing for the railway improvements, would like to see the number of freight trains on the Ottawa-Pembroke line tripled and a five-day-a-week commuter service introduced within two years.

The trains would run along existing tracks through Renfrew, Ont., crossing into Quebec, with stops in Portage-du-Fort and Shawville, before crossing back into Ontario at Fitzroy Harbour and heading towards Kanata and Ottawa.

Harry Gow, head of Transport Pontiac-Renfrew, said the future of the both the Renfrew County and Pontiac region's economies depends on improving the rail line.

"It's absolutely essential. It's more essential than highways.

"Without a train, there will be no reopening of mills, and there will be no new mills because all the shippers have made it clear…that they cannot operate economically without the railway."