Railway Association of Canada Congratulates Governments of Canada and Ontario
on Funding Agreement For Huron Central Railway
OTTAWA, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - The Railway Association of Canada congratulates the Governments of Canada and Ontario on their agreement to fund infrastructure improvements that will allow Huron Central Railway to continue operations. The jointly funded $30M infrastructure funding will allow work to begin the upgrading of Huron Central Railway rail infrastructure that runs between Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada (bordering on Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) and Sudbury, Ontario.
"The federal and Ontario Governments clearly recognize the importance of short line railways to the provincial and national economies," said Cliff Mackay, President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada. "While these funds address desperately needed short term investment required for Huron Central, critical funding is needed for five more short line railways in Ontario that services the province's industrial and manufacturing heartland including the mining, agriculture and forestry industries.
"Railways have identified a number of infrastructure projects, including road/rail grade separations that require funding partnerships with the federal and provincial governments," Mackay continued. "The RAC encourages other provinces to partner with the federal government and short line railways to invest in short line infrastructure."
Short lines are an integral part of Ontario's transportation network and play a key role in economic development and environmental sustainability. A 2008 study conducted for the Railway Association of Canada and the Ministry of Transport for Ontario says short line railways contribute up to $1.2 billion in economic and social benefits to Ontario's economy. Approximately 400 employees work for the short line railways in Ontario earning $20 million in wages annually and contributing $7 million in federal and provincial taxes. As the greenest and most efficient mode of surface transportation, increasing the use of rail in Canada is crucial to the country's future economic and environmental prosperity.
About the Railway Association of Canada
The Railway Association of Canada represents some 50 freight, tourist, commuter and intercity Canadian railways and their more than 35,000 employees. Rail moves 75 per cent of our nation's surface freight and 72 million passengers annually in an environmentally sustainable manner, generating only three per cent of transport's greenhouse gas emissions.
For further information:
Paul Goyette
The Railway Association of Canada
Tel.: 613 564-8097
Share this article