Plans to reinstate rail service on the E&N Railway are chugging along.
The Island Corridor Foundation is hosting a series of seven town halls to give Island residents an update on the railway and to hear what they have to say about it.
The foundationB次元官网网址檚 chief executive, Larry Stevenson, said the foundation has also been meeting with the province and Premier John Horgan to get plans in motion for the reinstatement of rail service.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to get trains back and running on the Island,B次元官网网址� Stevenson said. B次元官网网址淲hat the town halls are for is we felt it was time to get in front of people and talk a bit about who we are, what we do B次元官网网址� and the approach that weB次元官网网址檙e taking in trying to get rail restored.B次元官网网址�
READ MORE: Railway groups disappointed with premierB次元官网网址檚 comments
Three town halls have already taken place in Duncan, Langford and Courtenay, and Stevenson said the turnout has been positive with many people asking what they can do to help.
Stevenson said right now, he is in the middle of talks with the province to see what they need in order to start planning, but generating discussion and engagement amongst communities will help.
B次元官网网址淸The premier] is looking to us to come up with a reasonable package for him,B次元官网网址� Stevenson said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been frustrated by a lack of movement but I think the time is right with all of the traffic issues weB次元官网网址檙e having. HeB次元官网网址檚 ready to move forward and itB次元官网网址檚 really incumbent upon us to give him all the reasons to say yes.B次元官网网址�
Restoring rail to the Island comes with a hefty price tag of about $150 million dollars, but Stevenson said it doesnB次元官网网址檛 all have to be spent at once.
READ MORE: Island Corridor Foundation to hold public meetings around Island
He said the foundation is looking to get started on an incremental basis. If they get the green light, Stevenson said it is B次元官网网址渁lmost guaranteedB次元官网网址� that rail service between Langford and Victoria will be implemented first.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a consistent sore point for people on the Island, it seems to have the most need,B次元官网网址� Stevenson said.
But before anything can be set in motion, Stevenson said the province, municipalities, First Nations groups and foundation need to have a shared vision of what will happen.
Stevenson said the town halls will hopefully educate the public and help gain their support.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to get this done,B次元官网网址� Stevenson said. B次元官网网址淚 think this is probably the best opportunity weB次元官网网址檝e had in the last five years.B次元官网网址�
More town hall meetings are scheduled for Esquimalt, Nanaimo, Parksville and Port Alberni this month. Details can be found .
