The abandoned CP railway bed in the Town of Renfrew.

6 April 2011

CPR Line's Status Remains Uncertain

Renfrew Ontario - Last-minute business interest in the abandoned Canadian Pacific Railway in Renfrew County has surfaced. But it remains to be seen if anything will come of it.
 
Now that Canadian Pacific has issued notices of sale, or discontinuance, of the railway line running between Smiths Falls and Mattawa, Renfrew County council voted last week to submit a letter of intent for the right of first refusal with CPR to acquire the rail bed for future use.
 
This letter is for the northern section of line, between Petawawa and Mattawa, which had been kept open for use by Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
 
Earlier this year, Lanark and Renfrew counties asked CPR for first rights-of-refusal for purchasing the property, if the line is derailed, for the section of line from Smiths Falls to Petawawa.
 
The abandonment process, under the Canadian Transportation Act, ended for the section of CP line running from Petawawa to Mattawa on 16 Mar 2011.
 
That same day, Mattawa Mayor Dean Backer, Township of Papineau-Cameron Mayor Robert Corriveau, and Renfrew County Warden Bob Sweet discussed the abandonment process in a brief teleconference call.
 
During the call, the three parties agreed to proceed with discussions with CPR, starting with a joint letter requesting first rights-of-refusal to purchase the abandoned line.
 
Renfrew County's resolution, which was passed 30 Mar 2011, says development and property committee documentation, is "consistent with the County of Renfrew Abandoned Railway Rights-of-Way Policy upon completion of the abandonment process."
 
Renfrew County chief administrative officer Jim Hutton acknowledges that an anonymous private sector company has hired consultants to investigate the possibility of using the Canadian Pacific line between Smiths Falls and Mattawa.
 
17 Mar 2011 Lanark County officials met with consultants who outlined plans to complete a market research study. The study would determine if the rail line purchase would be a practical financial move for the private company the consultants represent.
 
Lanark and Renfrew counties have a meeting this week to discuss the rail line.
 
"I was kind of surprised," said Hutton of the company's recently-expressed interest in the line. We have to wait and see. I don't think anyone would be disappointed if they bought the line, but that's being pretty optimistic."
 
If Renfrew County purchased the rail bed, this could lead to the development of a recreational corridor for hikers, snowmobilers, and other users. Other possible uses could be transportation and a corridor for fibre-optics communication, said Hutton.
 
Steve Newman.