The federal government will provide the remaining $7.5 million to help restore the E&N Railway service from Courtenay to Victoria, officials announced Tuesday at the Via Rail station in Langford.
The contribution matches that of the province, which last year announced it would provide $7.5 million to the Island Corridor Foundation, which owns the railway.
"Which would give us $15 million out of the $20 million we need to ensure that the railway stays viable," said Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula, who represents the Comox Valley Regional District on the ICF board.
He said the remaining $5 million will be raised possibly through the Island 台湾MM裸聊室 Economic Trust or Vancouver Island Foundation.
"It now assures that the railway will be functioning for at least the next 10 years," said Jangula, who feels rail offers a safer means of transporting dangerous goods than by truck.
Upon completion of repairs, the railway will be able to haul heavy freight such as gravel and lumber, in addition to light rail loads.
"People keep thinking it's just transportation between Courtenay and Victoria, it's actually transportation between Courtenay and anywhere," Jangula said, noting the sea link capacity. "It can link up with the barge department, so you could move things by rail virtually anywhere from here."
Passenger train service had been suspended when the line was no longer deemed safe and funding was not available to repair decayed rail ties and loose bolts, among other problems. There had been a self-powered passenger car running daily along with a freight service. The latter continued to operate.
The ICF is a partnership of First Nations, regional and municipal governments that assumed ownership of the 290-kilometre rail corridor in 2006 on behalf of Vancouver Island communities.
"It's a combination of work between a bunch of municipalities between Courtenay and Victoria, plus I believe there's as many as 13 native bands involved in it," Jangula said.
He notes First Nations will receive training and be able to work anywhere in Canada. In addition, he said there is a strong chance First Nations will supply some of the aggregate and be able to cut ties.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
