7 August 2010

NORD Considers Track Survey

Vernon British Columbia - Public money could be spent on ensuring a track of rail line is financially viable.
 
The North Okanagan Regional District may spend $45,000 on an assessment of the track between Spallumcheen and Sicamous if it officially shows interest in securing the property from Canadian Pacific.
 
"We want to determine what the value of the line is," said director Will Hansma.
 
"That will put a value on that section of the railway and at that point, we and the province could form a partnership for the rail line. We hope a private company would take on operation of the line."
 
Okanagan Valley Railway stopped operating the 13-kilometre, CP-owned line last summer, and there is concern CP may attempt to completely abandon the track, negatively impacting several businesses and the North Okanagan-Shuswap economy.
 
NORD would not consider spending the $45,000 until the provincial government's ability to secure the track passes an 18 Aug 2010 deadline.
 
"That track needs to stay there to promote our local economy," said Hansma.
 
Director Mike Gavinchuk, who opposed the $45,000, questions the future of rail service.
 
"We're trying to buy a bunch of votes. People are doing this as a political thing," he said.
 
NORD is also encouraging all member jurisdictions to designate rail tracks through their communities as public transportation corridors so they can't be used for other activities.
 
And that process has already started in the rural Enderby electoral area, where its official community plan is being amended to identify the rail line as a major transportation corridor.
 
Richard Rolke.