Released on May 30, 2013
The Saskatchewan government announced today $900,000 in grants is being awarded for 13 shortline railways through the Shortline Railway Sustainability Program (SRSP). This is an increase of $200,000 over last year.
“We are happy to once again increase the amount of funding available for shortline railways,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister and Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation Don McMorris said. “These railways support rural economic development by providing grain producers, oil producers and other shippers with an effective transportation option that also lightens the load on our highways.”
The 50-50 cost-shared infrastructure grant program is funded provincially by the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation and matched by privately-owned shortline railways that meet eligibility requirements. The program funding is used to maintain or upgrade rail lines through projects such as replacing ties, repairing bridges or stabilizing track.
“Since 2008, we have added six new shortlines and more than 900 km of track,” Saskatchewan Shortline Railway Association President Conrad Johnson said. “Our partnership with the Government continues to be important as it provides needed funding and also requires each shortline to invest money to ensure their own long-term viability.”
This year's eligible shortlines and their respective provincial grant amounts are as follows:
- Southern Rails Co-operative based out of Avonlea $35,000;
- Carlton Trail Railway based out of Prince Albert, $78,241;
- Red Coat Road & Rail based out of Viceroy, $48,900;
- Great Western Railway based out of Shaunavon, $210,909;
- Thunder Rail based out of Arborfield, $35,000;
- Wheatland Rail based out of Cudworth, $35,000;
- Fife Lake Railway based out of Coronach, $41,246;
- Torch River Rail based out of Choiceland, $35,000;
- Great Sandhills Railway based out of Leader, $80,367;
- Last Mountain Railway based out of Regina, $57,830;
- Stewart Southern Railway based out of Fillmore, $56,129;
- *Big Sky Rail based out of Regina, $151,378; and
- Long Creek Railroad based out of Tribune, $35,000.
*Receiving funding through SRSP for the first time.
Between SRSP’s inception in 2008 and the end of the current fiscal year, up to $7.6 million will be invested into the shortline railway system in Saskatchewan. The province has 13 privately-owned shortline railways that can operate on about 2,000 km of provincially-regulated track.
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For more information, contact:
Joel Cherry
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805