British Columbia commits funds toward future E&N rail line

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Island Corridor Foundation

The British Columbia government has affirmed its commitment to provide CA$7 million (US$5.4 million) to the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) to support the future of the E&N rail line on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada.

 

“The government understands the importance of the historic E&N rail corridor to communities across Vancouver Island,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “We want to see the return of a fully-operational passenger rail service on Vancouver Island and, today, we are one step closer.”

Planned passenger service for this corridor includes twice daily runs from Nanaimo to Victoria, service to Qualicum Beach on Wednesdays and weekends and service to Courtenay on weekends and statutory holidays.

The funds will be provided to ICF once it has confirmed that CA$7.5 million (US$5.8 million) in federal funding is in place and, through a tendering process, that the upgrade work can be completed within the CA$20.4 million (US$15.7 million) it has budgeted. The regional districts of Nanaimo, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, Alberni-Clayoquot, the Capital Regional District, Southern Railway of Vancouver Island and ICF have committed the remaining CA$5.9 million (US$4.5 million) of this funding.

“Putting together the funding has required the ICF to have patience and determination, but the board has not wavered in its resolve to keep rail service alive on Vancouver Island,” said ICF co-chair Dr. Judith Sayers. “We know the people are supportive of the rail project and we all look forward to getting the VIA Rail Canada passenger service operational between Victoria and Courtenay.”

BC Safety Authority – an independent organization that is mandated to ensure that all railways comply with the safety regulations for their railway class – has committed to working closely with ICF and its operator, Southern Railway of Vancouver Island, as they develop and issue a tender for the necessary upgrades required on the rail line. This oversight, along with significant due diligence on the part of the BC Safety Authority, ICF and Southern Railway of Vancouver Island, will ensure the upgrades meet safety requirements for rail service along the corridor.

As part of the total CA$7.5 million (US$5.8 million) commitment made to this project in 2011, the province previously provided CA$500,000 (US$387,000) to fund a study of the 48 bridges and trestles on the E&N corridor between Victoria and Courtenay.

 

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