News Archives - Island Corridor Foundation

RDN wants inter-regional transit plan for Vancouver island – Michael Briones Dec. 6, 2018 1:30 a.m

cwieler — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 21:28:37 +0000

PARKSVILLE QUALICUM BEACH NEWS

The Regional District of Nanaimo wants the province to establish an inter-regional transportation plan for Vancouver Island.

The province, which in 2014 created a 10-year transportation plan called B.C. on the Move, has not established any plans to link Island communities together.

RDN’s Director of Transportation, Daniel Pearce, said in his report to the Transit Select Committee that Vancouver Island’s population is growing, increasing five per cent from 759,336 in 2011 to 799,400 in 2016.

This growth, he added, coupled with increasingly important factors such as an aging demographic and climate change, will continue to place even more pressure on the existing transportation and transit networks.

Pearce stressed the importance of linking Island communities together by inter-regional transit, as well as other modes of transportation, being crucial for economic growth.

It was suggested that the RDN request the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities to create a resolution to ask the province to create a Vancouver Island Master Transportation Plan that includes inter-regional transit solutions.

The resolution, Pearce indicated, would assist in ensuring the province is aware of the growing demands of transit and alternative travel choices on Vancouver Island.

See the full article HERE

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New CEO brings drive to Island Corridor Foundation – Cowichan Valley Citizen

cwieler — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:12:02 +0000

Larry Stevenson will take over from Graham Bruce as of Aug. 1
One of the first priorities for Larry Stevenson when he takes over as the new CEO of the Island Corridor Foundation on Aug. 1 is to develop a comprehensive communication strategy.
Stevenson, who is from Vancouver Island and brings 25 years of railway experience to his new position, said a lot of good work has been done over the years at the ICF to build a structure to revive train service on the Island and “get things moving forward”.
“But it seems that it’s only the ICF’s board and it members who really know that,” said Stevenson, who also has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and management consultant.

“More people on the Island need to know what the ICF is and what it is supposed to do. We need to get people behind this if we want to succeed. The railway corridor is too valuable an asset to just turn away and give up on it. That’s not good for today, and it won’t be good 40 to 50 years from now.”
The Island Corridor Foundation owns the deteriorating 220-kilometre E&N rail line that stretches from Victoria to Courtenay and is committed to resurrecting rail service on the Island.
Passenger train service on the rail line was stopped in 2011 due to track safety concerns, and freight service has also been discontinued on most parts of the Island.
The ICF presented a $42.7-million proposal to revive the railway to the new NDP government last November, with the hopes that senior levels of government would split the costs of major track upgrades between Nanaimo and Victoria, which is considered to be phase one of the overall project.
Neither the province nor Ottawa have yet committed to the plan.
Stevenson said another major priority for him when he takes on his new position on Aug. 1 is to see if there is a way to resolve the ongoing legal issue with the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation in Nanoose, which is a major stumbling block in reviving the railway.
The First Nation claims the railway land in its traditional territory was wrongfully taken from it years ago to build the railway and is seeking to have it returned.
“One of the reasons why I decided to do this job is because of the many challenges involved, including this dispute,” he said.
“There’s been a level of frustration in the history of getting the trains running again with issues like this, and they need to be resolved. There’s so much potential for tourism, freight and passenger service with a working rail line. It must be realized that once it’s gone, it’s gone and we won’t get it back.”
Phil Kent, chairman of the ICF and mayor of Duncan, said Stevenson will further advance the foundation’s focus on the realization of its goal of restoring vital rail transportation on the Island.
“We are very pleased Larry will be joining us,” Kent said.
“Larry is the perfect choice to provide us with the leadership and drive needed to continue building on our vision to bring rail back to the island.”
Kent said the ICF’s board also thanks Graham Bruce, the outgoing CEO, for his years of dedication and work and wish him and his family a well-deserved retirement.
“Graham will work with Larry over the coming months to ensure an orderly transition,” he said.
Article by: Robert Barron
Read Full Article Here.

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New group forms to advocate for railway revival – Cowichan Valley Citizen

cwieler — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:07:08 +0000

E&N Railway Roundtable represents both advocates for rail and for trails
Groups that are advocating for the revival of the E&N Railway line have agreed to form a new umbrella organization after a meeting in Duncan last weekend.
Called the E&N Railway Roundtable, the participants at the meeting, said to be the largest independent meeting of representative railway organizations ever held on Vancouver Island, committed to coordinate efforts throughout the Island to help preserve and revive the deteriorating rail line for both trains and trails.
It’s the first time a group has been formed that represents both the advocates of the trail systems along the railway corridor and the railway itself.
“One of the big themes this last weekend was to see how the transportation planners and supporters can work with those who want to convert the E&N railway on the Island into a multi-use recreational trail only,” said Glenn Migneault, coordinator of Parksville’s East End Track Gang which has been working on reviving the railway at Coombs.
“Although we oppose the Rails to Trails proposal, we would prefer to work with the Rails to Trails group and come to a Rails with Trails agreement to benefit all. We hope other municipal and regional district representatives will eventually join the ENRR as well.”
Passenger train service on the E&N Railway line was stopped in 2011 due to track safety concerns, and freight service has also been discontinued between Duncan and Parksville.
The federal and provincial governments have committed $7.5 million each, on top of the funding from local governments, to fix the railway line.
But the Island Corridor Foundation, which owns the rail line, and Southern Railway, which runs the rail operations, have been facing delays from the senior levels of government as to when they plan to release the funding they’ve promised.
The Cowichan Valley’s Jack Peake, the former chairman of the ICF and now the chairman of the ENRR, said be believes the expanded body representing both trail and rail advocates will help the process along.
“This is an opportunity to take advantage of the rail assets we have that are currently being wasted,” Peake said.
“The trail systems are a key component to the railway line’s revival and we are not opposed to them,” he said.
Peake said he’s also optimistic there may be a new impetus to kick-starting the process with a new NDP government in power in B.C.
“Members of the new government have said they support the E&N Railway and are interested in working with us,” he said.
“We’re waiting for the government to officially take over after the Throne Speech and then we plan to meet with them. We’ve also talked to Graham Bruce (the current chairman of the ICF) and he also agreed we should all work together.”
Peake said a lot of research has been done as to what is required to revive the railway line, and he’s meeting with representatives from a railway management company next week to nail down some of the anticipated costs.
Article by: Robert Barron
Read Full Article Here.

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North Cowichan signs onto railway trail agreement – Cowichan Valley Citizen

cwieler — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:04:40 +0000

The Cowichan Valley Regional District is considering entering into a 25-year lease agreement with the Island Corridor Foundation for trail use and development within the E&N Railway Corridor.
Council in the Municipality of North Cowichan agreed to enter into the agreement at its regular meeting on July 18 after the CVRD sent the municipality a letter asking for its direction on the issue.
Similar letters are expected to be sent to other members of the CVRD, including the City of Duncan, Town of Ladysmith and Town of Lake Cowichan asking if they want to enter the agreement as well.
In order to proceed with the agreement, all four municipalities are required to sign on.
Following acquisition of the E&N Corridor in 2006 by the ICF, regional districts along the more than 220-kilometre railway corridor between Victoria and Courtenay collaborated with the ICF to develop standards and guidelines for trail development within the corridor.
That collaboration led to the creation of the “Vancouver Island Rail Corridor Rail-With-Trail Design Guidelines”.
Through application of these design guidelines, the CVRD has proceeded to construct sections of the Cowichan Valley Trail within the railway corridor lands, including trails from Duncan to Lake Cowichan, and sections within the Chemainus/Ladysmith area.
“Tendering for construction to complete the rail-with-trail between Saltair and Chemainus is currently proceeding, and preliminary design work is also underway for extending the rail-with-trail south of Chemainus to Westholme in 2019,” said Brian Farquhar, the CVRD’s manager of parks and trails, in a report.
“The CVRD also maintains the Friendship Trail within the E&N Railway Corridor from Duncan to Green Road.”
Farquhar said that with continued expansion of the CVRD’s trail network within the corridor, it’s timely that a long-term agreement be secured with the ICF to ensure the viability and investment of these trails for many years to come for the benefit of local residents and visitors.
He said the Capital Regional District and the Regional District of Nanaimo have already entered into licence-of-occupation agreements with the ICF for use of the corridor for trail development.
The proposed licence-of-occupation agreement would be for 25 years, with a provision for a further 25 years if all parties agree.
The agreement would allow the CVRD and its member municipalities the right to use and occupy a portion of the railway corridor lands for the development, operation and maintenance of non-motorized, multi-use trails.
It would also allow for the consideration for statutory rights-of-way for local government infrastructure projects within the corridor as may be requested by the CVRD and member municipalities, which include water, storm drainage, sewers and dike works.
If an agreement is entered into with the ICF, the costs would include a one-time fee of $5,000 and a file-opening fee of $2,000 to cover the processing of the application.
article by: Robert Barron
Read Full Article Here.

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Railway key to sustainable growth – Lake Cowichan Gazette

cwieler — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 17:15:05 +0000

Railway key to sustainable growth
My late father, who’d lived with his family on southern Vancouver Island since 1919, once told me that, during his life there had been four railways in the area; the woodburning steam railway between Victoria and Sidney, the Interurban from Victoria to the Deep Cove Chalet (he’d ridden the last train), the CN and the E & N.
In his later years, this conservative and very open-minded gentleman realized and stated that we’d regressed relative to most of the world in this regard.
Seeing, now, the extent to which Duncan and even Nanaimo have become bedroom communities for commutes to Victoria, I believe that saving, restoring, and possibly extending, the rail corridor of the Esquimault and Nanaimo Railway as a commuter line is essential for future sustainable growth.
While I do not object to some of my tax dollars going towards the Malahat expansion, I want, for my children and grandchildren’s sake at LEAST equivalent expenditure on more sustainable, safer, and climate-sensible transportation such as commuter rail.
Peter Lake
Lake Cowichan Gazette
Duncan
For full article click here.

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Board Meeting Notes July 2017

cwieler — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:02:39 +0000

Vancouver Island Friends of Rails to Trails
The VI FORT gave a presentation to the board in support of converting the railway tracks to a hiking and biking trail only. The group has presented to several councils and boards. The ICF Board is in the process of redrafting the ‘Strategic Priorities Plan’ and has reaffirmed the ICF commitment of ‘Rails with Trails’.
McLean Mill Steam Train Tourist Attraction
A comprehensive plan for the expanded McLean Mill & Steam Train attraction was presented to the board including a detailed track & bridge upgrade for the six miles of track that the steam train operates on. The ICF will seek the ACRD approval to redirect the $75,000 committed for the Victoria sub to the six miles of track on the Alberni subdivision.

Federal/ Provincial Track Infrastructure Funding
A new Federal/Provincial infrastructure application will be drafted and submitted to the respective governments for approval. The plan will focus on track improvements between Nanaimo and Victoria as the first phase of the incremental plan to restore rail service to the Victoria sub and the Alberni subdivision.
Very strong support was indicated by MLA Sonia Furstenau on behalf of the Green Party after meeting with ICF and Southern Rail of Vancouver Island (SVI) representatives. Meetings are being arranged with Minister of Transportation Claire Trevena (North Island) and Minister of Indigenous Relations Scott Fraser (Alberni) as formal first steps to updating the new government. Recent comments by government members and the Premier have signaled a keen interest in restoring Island train service.
First Nation Liaison
Meetings have been held with Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation and Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group to update on recent ICF activities and the Snaw-Naw-As litigation. Concerns of safety and community impact when trains recommence operation were discussed.
Local Government Liaison Meeting
Municipal councillors attended the summer liaison meeting in early July. SVI representatives presented the new incremental track infrastructure plan that will support the VIA Inter-city passenger service; tourist excursion train; freight; and base improvements for commuter rail between Victoria and Langford. It also provides for Safety Sight & Sound barriers through member First Nation Communities and a walking trail across the Chemainus River Bridge.
Admirals Road Improvements
A section of Admirals Road between the Songhees Wellness Centre and the Admirals Walk shopping centre is being widened and repaved this year to improve access for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Improvements to the one-kilometre stretch from Hallowell Road to Maplebank Road will include upgrades to intersections and the stormwater drainage system along with new curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
The road improvements coincide with work on the E&N Rail Trail, which will run alongside Admirals at that location.

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PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK BY THEFT OF SIGNAL BATTERIES

cwieler — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 22:41:18 +0000

Press Release

PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK BY THEFT OF SIGNAL BATTERIES

Thieves targeting Ni-Cad batteries are putting the public at risk by tampering with safety items at railway crossings. Since early June, brazen thieves have broken into five Southern Railway of Vancouver Island (SVI) signal sheds and stolen 45 batteries worth about $30,000.
SVI Superintendent Al Kutaj commented, “Our railway line is still active and our track service vehicles regularly pass through these crossings. Although our operators are vigilant when approaching any grade crossing, the risk of an accident with a vehicle increases when signals don’t work.”
Kutaj believes the thieves are supplying specific clients looking for batteries for solar systems. They are not simply looking for a few dollars in scrap value as it actually costs to dispose Ni-Cad batteries.
Although police have some witnesses to the last two thefts, Kutaj encourages the public to be vigilant and report all suspicious activity around the signal sheds to the police. Anyone approached with offer of a deal on Ni-Cad batteries should also report this to the police.

-30-

For more information, contact:

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Greater Victoria residents show support for rail

cwieler — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 22:40:36 +0000

Significant number of respondents ‘very supportive’ according to Island Corridor Foundation survey
The renewal of rail service has the strong support of more than 84 per cent of Greater Victoria residents according to a new survey from the Island Corridor Foundation.
Less than 5 per cent of the region’s 82 respondents said they were either ‘not supportive’ or ‘somewhat unsupportive’ of restoring service. Overall, 62 per cent of the survey’s 429 respondents were ‘very supportive’ of rail service, while nearly 18 per cent were ‘not supportive at all.’
“There’s nothing really surprising (in the report),” said Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton. “Everyone seems supportive of retaining the corridor for some purpose (and) everyone seems to be fully supportive of it being rail service.”
Among the feedback received by the ICF, support for a Langford to Victoria commuter service received frequent mention, while many respondents showed support for tourism trains that could service cruise ship passengers, skiers and wine tours.
Prioritizing rail repairs, upgrades and services incrementally based on economic feasibility and seeking government funding accordingly were other common themes to emerge in the report.
While the existing E&N tracks don’t pass through Colwood, Hamilton has been a part of discussions at the CRD and sees her role as being one of engagement with BC Transit, which would ultimately have to play an important part in the success of any commuter rail project.
Hamilton recalls that rail efforts have been ongoing since her husband, Arnie Hamilton, was the MLA for Esquimalt Metchosin in the early 2000s.
“We don’t need more studies to study this to death, we need commitment. Are we or are we not interested in keeping the corridor viable for some use?” she said.
Rail received the least support from the 75 Parksville and Qualicum Beach respondents, where 44 per cent of respondents said they were ‘not supportive at all’ of a renewal of rail service, but all other regions surveyed were behind the restoration of rail service in the survey results released last week.
The continued development of rail-with-trails within the corridor received strong support from more than 48 per cent of respondents and mild support from another roughly 21 per cent.
In terms of next steps, the report said Southern Railway of Vancouver Island will provide cost estimates for upgrades to the rail infrastructure and foundation staff will prepare five-year financial projections. The board will choose a preferred rail infrastructure option and establish goals and performance indicators for a business plan.
However, Graham Bruce, foundation CEO, said it was too early to discuss business plan timelines as the board is hoping to meet by the end of this month to discuss the results.
It is a step in the process, he said.
“They haven’t had a chance to collectively come together to review the information and so this is just that information that was gathered, it was posted, made public … we wanted to share it with everybody initially,” said Bruce.
For the full report, click here.
goldstreamgazette.com
JOEL TANSEY Jun 5th, 2017 2:30pm
–with files from Karl Yu, Black Press
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com

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Work continues towards commuter-rail service on Vancouver Island

cwieler — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 16:44:54 +0000

Capital region mayors remain optimistic about the prospects for commuter-rail service on the E&N Rail corridor from Langford to Vic West, despite a pending change in the provincial government.
Langford Mayor Stewart Young said he expects the project to receive strong consideration, whether the existing Liberal government survives or falls to a new NDP-Green alliance.
“I know the NDP support the E&N,” he said. “Pretty well every government has.”
Young stressed the need for a strong business case for the project, no matter which party takes power.
“We’ve got to be really making sure that we have a good understanding of what we think the ridership will be, because that really dictates how much of a subsidy the government gives,” he said.
B.C. Liberal Transportation Minister Todd Stone launched a working group in March to look at options for the 15-kilometre stretch of track and report back following the May 9 election.
“I have said I expect a business case to be completed and on our desks, ready for the next government to consider, so that we can finally move forward with commuter rail here in Greater Victoria,” Stone said at the time.
The Liberals, however, fell one seat short of a majority in the 87-seat legislature, winning 43 seats to 41 for the NDP and three for the Greens. B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark remains in power for now, but NDP Leader John Horgan and B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver signed an accord last week to defeat the Liberals and install an NDP minority government once the legislature returns, likely this month.
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins, who ran unsuccessfully for the Liberals in Esquimalt-Metchosin, said the E&N commuter-rail project will be in good hands no matter who forms the government. “The NDP, having been here for a long period of time and representing us, know that this is a significant issue,” she said. “It would be a low-hanging fruit, early win for them.”
Desjardins said it also bodes well that both Horgan and Weaver represent ridings on southern Vancouver Island. Horgan was re-elected in Langford-Juan de Fuca, while Weaver won a second term in Oak Bay-Gordon Head.
“It’s my hope that they really focus some attention to the lower Island and particularly the E&N,” Desjardins said.
“Much of the work has been done in terms of costing.”
Horgan said last week that an NDP minority government would focus on Island issues in ways that the Liberals did not.
“I know the Island Corridor Foundation and E&N corridor is one that I feel very strongly about and have been working on for a decade. I’m going to be focusing on that, for sure.”
The NDP’s election platform promised that the party would “lead and promote efforts to fix the E&N railway tracks so that commuter rail can become an option to eliminate gridlock.”
The B.C. Green Party’s Adam Olsen, who won the riding of Saanich North and the Islands, urged action on the corridor.
“The E&N rail line is one … that should have been done a long time ago,” he said during the campaign.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said transportation is the biggest challenging facing the region.
“How do we move more people, more quickly around the region, particularly as the population continues to grow? So the train is an answer, rapid bus is an answer, bike lanes are an answer, but the train definitely needs to be part of it and, hopefully, we’ll see that commitment continue.”
Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton is also optimistic.
“My expectation would be, regardless of who forms government, that the opportunities of utilizing the E&N railline are not studied to death, but looked at realistically as a solution to a number of issues facing the South Vancouver Island commuters,” she said.
Passenger service ceased on the E&N line in March 2011 due to safety concerns with the tracks.
lkines@timescolonist.com

LINDSAY KINES, VICTORIA TIMES COLONIST
Lindsay Kines, Victoria Times Colonist

Published on: June 4, 2017

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Nanaimo residents ‘very supportive’ of rail

cwieler — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 16:43:35 +0000

Almost three-quarters of respondents from Nanaimo are ‘very supportive’ of rail service, according to an Island Corridor Foundation survey.
The foundation conducted the online survey between April 7 and May 15 with a total of 438 people responding. Sixty-four responded from Greater Nanaimo, with 72 per cent very supportive of rail, 1.6 per cent somewhat supportive, 9.4 per cent somewhat unsupportive and 17.2 per cent not supportive at all.
Overall, 85.5 per cent said it was very important to them that the Island rail corridor be “preserved for public use in the long-term future” and 62 per cent were very supportive of rail service on Vancouver Island.
There was also support for continued development of rail with trails within the corridor, with 48.3 per cent very supportive, 20.8 per cent somewhat supportive, 13.6 per cent neutral, 5.3 per cent somewhat unsupportive and 12 per cent not supportive at all.
The survey report said common themes from respondents were general support for prioritizing rail repairs, upgrades and services incrementally based on economic feasibility and seeking government funding accordingly.
In terms of next steps, the report said Southern Railway of Vancouver Island will provide cost estimates for upgrades to the rail infrastructure and foundation staff will prepare five-year financial projections. The board will choose a preferred rail infrastructure option and establish goals and performance indicators for a business plan.
However, Graham Bruce, foundation CEO, said it was too early to discuss business plan timelines as the board is hoping to meet by the end of this month to discuss the results. It is a step in the process, he said.
“They haven’t had a chance to collectively come together to review the information and so this is just that information that was gathered, it was posted, made public … all of the questions you’re asking me I can’t really give you an answer to till the board’s had a chance to look at it, but we wanted to share it with everybody initially,” said Bruce.
http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/island-corridor-foundation-says-nanaimo-residents-very-supportive-of-rail/
Karl Yu June 3rd 2017

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