The government has said journey times will be slashed as it more than trebled the funding to update TransPennine routes in the North to £9bn.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has upped the amount from the £2.9bn that was revealed in the Integrated Rail Plan last November.
The government added the move will help reduce carbon emissions by up to 87,000 tons per year and "set the foundations" for Northern Powerhouse Rail.
