Tag Archives: Island Railway

First Nations’ engagement focus for future of Island Rail Corridor

By Rachelle Stein-Wotten, Gabriola Sounder, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First Nations’ engagement is a major focus right now as the Island Corridor Foundation considers the future of the rail corridor, a director reported to the Regional District of Nanaimo parks and trails select committee.

Nanaimo director Ben Geselbracht provided an update at the May 3 regional parks and trails select committee following a presentation by a delegation advocating for the ICF’s mandate to allow active transportation options along the rail bed. The delegation argued the economic outlook was not on the side of the foundation to continue pursuing an intact rail system.

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Should We Reopen Island Rail?

The Island Railway suspended operations on March 18, 2011, due to safety concerns about the condition of the tracks. Plans to reopen the line continue to this day. In fact, one of the items of correspondence at the  Strathcona Regional District’s May 13th Board Meeting was an email from Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog.

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