Rail Line Meeting Constructive

Peter McIntyre Friday, 30 July 2010 11:21 107.5 KISS FM:

The MLA for Shuswap says the Armstrong to Sicamous rail line could be used for recreation and tourism, if it can't be re-opened for trains. George AbbottGeorge Abbott, who is also Aboriginal Relations Minister, says using it for a biking trail was one suggestion at a meeting attended by more than two dozen local and provincial reps Thursday in Salmon Arm. "That might be possible for a portion of it and there's certainly some interest from some local governments in that, and I think that from a provincial perspective that's exciting." However, Abbott says the main goal is to restore rail service for the businesses that rely on it. He says the meeting was constructive with lots of ideas, and they'll gather again in September.

Tate Bengtson, executive director of the Enderby Chamber of Commerce agrees with Abbott that the meeting was "constructive" and they developed a plan to move forward. He says Abbott and the province are taking a leadership role on the issue. Bengtson says one option would be for the province to buy the line from Canadian Pacific. "Right now, we're exploring the most suitable path forward and that is one of the options we're exploring. There might be an opportunity for either the province, through local government or through a public private partnership." The Armstrong-Sicamous short line which services several agricultural suppliers, was discontinued last August and since then, owner Canadian Pacific Railway has undergone a discontinuance process administered by the Canada Transportation Agency. The deadline for the province to buy the line is August 18.