E&N rail trestles in "surprisingly good shape"
The Island Corridor Foundation is going to have to figure out how to come up with another 5.4 million dollars before it can finally commit to its ten year plan for passenger rail operation.
That’s the estimated cost of immediate and short term repairs and maintenance on the 48 trestles on the line, according to a recently concluded engineering report. Foundation Executive Director Graham Bruce says overall it is a good news report…the trestles are in better shape than anybody expected, and he’s confident the 5.4 million will be found without asking for more government grants.
The ICF just last week received 7 1/2 million dollars from the federal government, with the proviso that there won’t be any more federal contributions. That money, combined with a matching provincial amount, is earmarked for immediate track repairs, not including the trestles.
The engineering report notes that further investment would be required in order to upgrade the trestles’ weight bearing capacity if there is to be freight movement on the line.
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