Times Colonist - February 21, 2009
By Bill Cleverley
Representatives of three levelsof government were at the Langford rail station yesterday to champion the E&N Rail Line for federal/provincial infrastructure funds.
Several capital region mayors joined forces with New Democrat MLAs Maurine Karagianis and John Horgan and Liberal MP Keith Martin, who called transforming the E&N into a viable commuter line one of the most pressing infrastructure needs in the area.
"Everybody knows the congestion we have in our communities. It?s getting worse. We need to fix it. This is a solution," Martin said.
The E&N railway was transferred in 2006 to the Island Corridor Foundation, a partnership of First Nations, 14 municipal governments and five regional governments.
There are 290 kilometres of rail line on two tracks -- a 225-kilometre line between Victoria and Courtenay and a 64-kilometre line between Parksville and Port Alberni.
The foundation believes commuter rail could be launched on the line with an investment of $15 million, while $103.8 million would pay for a full upgrade of the track.
The E&N provides an opportunity to connect communities that the provincial and federal government can't afford to miss, said View Royal Mayor Graham Hill.
"If we don't invest today in the best infrastructure to keep us busy, to keep jobs on the line, to keep our economy rolling and keep our communities healthy, we're going to miss the mark," said Hill.
"Now is the time for leadership. Now is the time for effort."
Colwood Mayor Dave Saunders said the track could be used by a train or a dual-purpose bus.
"Three of our developers in the city of Colwood want to get on board with this dual-purpose bus vehicle. They're excited about it. It's a chance to create jobs. It's a chance to stimulate our economy. Why wouldn't you do it?"
Langford Coun. Lanny Seaton, who grew up across the road from the rail tracks, said investing in the rail line is important not just for moving commuters but for freight.
"Right now we've got gravel trucks coming down over the Malahat loaded with gravel because we've got a gravel pit closed down in Colwood and that's the way the gravel has to come," said Seaton, who was standing in for Langford Mayor Stew Young.
"If we fix the rail bed, we can also do rail freight."
Although the E&N wasn't mentioned in either of the recent federal or provincial budgets, Martin said funds for transportation are available.
"It's neglect. People have seen this historically as a white elephant but it isn't a white elephant," Martin said.
Horgan said the federal money that is available requires the province to ask for it.
"What we're doing today, again, is reinforcing to the senior levels of government that this is not an NDP idea, it's not a Liberal idea, it's not a Conservative idea. It's a good idea and its time has arrived."
Sooke Mayor Janet Evans also attended the event.
