The City of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 faint hope of finding funding partners to save the E&N rail on the Johnson Street Bridge fizzled Wednesday.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a reluctant decision that we have to take as a council,B次元官网网址� said Coun. John Luton. B次元官网网址淢any in this community are committed to supporting commuter rail into downtown Victoria.B次元官网网址�
With the exception of Coun. Geoff Young, all on council voted to nix the $12-million project to include rail on the bridge.
That means the new $77-million bridge will have three lanes of traffic, two bike paths and a multi-use trail, but no train tracks.
The trainB次元官网网址檚 final stop will likely be situated in Vic West instead of downtown. WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 decision marks a surprise change of direction. On Feb. 24, city council agreed to plan for the inclusion of rail at a cost of $80,000.
Two new pieces of information came to light this week, however, which swayed city councillors to end the waiting game early.
First, a grant application of $6.5 million for the inclusion of rail fell through. Second, a $21-million grant promised by the federal government in 2009 is in jeopardy.
B次元官网网址淪taff have been advised that the agreement will not be recommended for signing by the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities until the City makes a final decision of the project scope,B次元官网网址� wrote Victoria engeineer Mike Lai in a staff report.
A new federal budget March 22 with expected reductions, and a federal election likely on the horizon could both delay the grant for several months, the report continued.
B次元官网网址淭he City cannot commit to large purchases such as pre-ordering steel without a signed contribution agreement,B次元官网网址� Lai said.
Victoria councillors took the news badly.
B次元官网网址淚 had something of a sleepless night trying to understand how rail does not fit the definition of public transit,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Pam Madoff. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 as if everything is conspiring against us.B次元官网网址�
Mayor Dean Fortin focused his comments on future possibilities.
B次元官网网址淭his is not the not the end of the dream, folks,B次元官网网址� he said.
A free downtown shuttle could pick pick up commuters in Vic West and transport them to various locations in the core.
B次元官网网址淟et us sit down and talk with B.C. Transit, and rail and corridor planners and say B次元官网网址榟ow do we make this all work?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
