A Vancouver Island First Nation, is calling for the repurposing of the EN Railway Corridor after a Provincial Assessment estimated the cost of repairing the abandoned line at between 300 and 750 million.
A Vancouver Island First Nation, is calling for the re-purposing of the E&N Railway Corridor after a Provincial Assessment estimated the cost of repairing the abandoned line at between $300 and $750 million.
Leaders of the Snaw-naw-as, or Nanoose First Nation, say in light of exorbitant rehabilitation costs it's time to find a new use to benefit both First Nation and Non-First Nation Communities.
Councillor Brent Edwards says it's time for the Island Corridor Foundation to accept the fact the condition assessment report is the "death knell" of the E&N rail, and there is no business case for such an immense investment.
One suggestion is turning the almost 179 miles of track into the "East Coast Trail," a level, accessible, paved trail connecting communities and promoting recreation.
Edwards says since trains were removed in 2014 the railway is just sitting there "rotting away."