The plans will see new high-speed stations being built at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, making way for new lines to Leeds and Liverpool.
Once approved, the High Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill will allow HS2 to continue its journey from Crewe to Manchester, which the government says will help boost local economies throughout north-west England.
The Department for Transport (DfT) says travel times from London to Manchester will be cut by around 55 minutes and Birmingham to Manchester by up to 45 minutes.
The DfT also estimates that the construction phase of the new leg could bring 17,500 direct jobs to Northern communities.
Thousands of jobs in the supply chain are expected to follow, including those in rolling stock depots to be established north of Crewe, as well as in Dumfries & Galloway.
Part of the new high-speed line will also be used for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) services between Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, helping...