The BBC understands the Government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester.
Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line included a line between the two cities, but Rishi Sunak’s government canceled that part of the project.
On Wednesday, the government is also expected to confirm proposals for new and improved rail links across the north of England in a scheme called Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
Apart from the intention to build it after the NPR is complete, very few details are expected about a new Birmingham to Manchester route, meaning it may not happen for decades.
Plans to bring high-speed rail to the north of England were first put forward by former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne in 2014.
There is severe congestion on the existing West Coast main line and ministers acknowledge the need to increase capacity at some point.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has supported the idea of an alternative new line between Birmingham and Manchester.
A new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester is considered a central part of the overall Northern Powerhouse Rail project, which aims to cut journey times between northern cities and towns as well as boost the UK economy outside London.
But expected announcements from the current government were postponed several times last year due to cost concerns.
Insiders said the project is undergoing an extended review process to avoid the same mistakes as HS2, which has been plagued with problems and costly delays.
HS2 is currently tens of billions of pounds over budget and almost a decade behind schedule.
Reports say the now-shortened line between Birmingham and London could cost £81 billion.
Taking inflation into account, this means that at least £100 billion will be spent but only 135 miles of railway will be built.
HS2 Ltd, the company set up by the Department for Transport, has admitted it has failed to keep overall costs under control and said delivery has not matched unrealistic initial expectations.
