Trails Archives - Island Corridor Foundation

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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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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ICF Feedback Form Results

cwieler — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 17:09:12 +0000

The Island Corridor Foundation wishes to thank everyone who took the time to complete our recent online survey regarding the draft Business Plan. A total of 438 responses were received, which surpassed the ICF’s goal of 400. The results have now been summarized and are available for download below. Next steps are outlined on the last page of the file. Click here or the image below to view the results.

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Former ICF chair ‘annoyed’ with RDN decision

cwieler — Thu, 04 May 2017 18:59:44 +0000

A staunch supporter of the restoration and retention of the E&N Railway on Vancouver Island was not pleased the regional district endorsed a group’s concept to turn railways into multi-use trails.
Jack Peake, co-founder and former chair of the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF), tried to convince the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board not to give up on the railway.
The RDN board went on to vote in favour of sending a letter to the ICF in support of converting the railway to trails from Parksville to Courtenay. The motion was made by the Town of Qualicum Beach director Teunis Westbroek, following a presentation by Friends of Rails to Trails Vancouver Island (FORT-VI) earlier this month to the committee of the whole. The group called for the removal of the rails and conversion of the railbed into a non-motorized, multi-use trail. The E&N Railway include railways from Victoria to Courtenay and from Parksville to Port Alberni.
Peake said he is angered by some of the directors’ lack of vision.
“I am particularly annoyed by the person who put it forward ‘cause I worked with him years ago and I think he is short-sighted in the worse way to believe that it makes sense to tear up infrastructure and leave it just blank,” said Peake. “It’s a step definitely in the wrong direction.”
Peake added that the RDN should “instead, get behind something that should have been supported all along and make the rail thing happen. The FORT-VI proposal, he said, is unreasonable and not a sensible decision.
“There is no way that a special interest group representing a minority of people on the Island should have their interest increased while the majority owners of the railway are ignored,” Peake told the board.
The ICF owns the right of way. He said it has property taxes exemption somewhere between $400,000 and $600,000 that is provided by the municipalities up and down the corridor.
“This means, each and every taxpayer, private citizens, commercial and industrial, are picking up the shortfall by using this tax exemption, not to mention the fact that many local governments pay also crossing fees to Southern Rail,” said Peake.
“This is a clear indication that a majority of citizens on the Island have a direct interest both financially and personally to see this railway operate to the benefit of all Islanders.”
Peake suggested the RDN board help the ICF by lobbying long and hard for money and support toward the restoration of rail services.
The railway line, Peake pointed out, provides the greatest opportunity to improve the region’s air quality by reducing the number of cars on the highway.
Establishing a passenger train will also boost the tourist industry on the Island.
“Support the restorations of the railway in whatever way you can,” Peake told the board. “Let me remind my friends from the cycling world you, too, will be old like me someday and you would appreciate an option to your car to move up and down our wonderful island. Work with us, folks. Not against us. Help make the best possible use of the rail corridor including the trails from all the corridors, and not displace the rail from their potential multiple use.”
Westbroek said the ICF presented its business plan to introduce passenger rail services five years ago, but to date nothing has materialized.
“How long do we wait?” Westbroek asked. “Then, we were told we would get one train a week from Nanaimo to Courtenay. I don’t think anybody would justify the expense of fixing the railway to accommodate one train a week.”
Westbroek also criticized the proposal of a coal train from Buckley Bay to Port Alberni.
Peake said he understood Westbroek’s comments. But he pointed out there are numerous business opportunities along the corridor that can be explored, which the ICF, Peake said, has failed to emphasize enough. He also knows there are investors waiting for things to develop.
“If we take away this opportunity, we are going to put us in a place where it’s not going to happen in the future,” said Peake.
“Remember all of this requires some vision and some investment.”
PBQ News – May 3rd 2017

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AGM 2017

cwieler — Tue, 02 May 2017 23:40:02 +0000

Approximately 40 people attend the annual general meeting April 27th, 2017 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Reports from the auditors, the solicitor, the Chair and CEO as well as presentations from the rail operator, Southern Rail and the business plan consultant filled the agenda. Directors elected to a two year term were Ken McRae – ACRD, Alec McPherson – RDN, Albie Charlie – Cowichan Tribes, Jim Tatoosh – Hupacasath First Nation and Mary Ashley – Director at large.

Budget 2017
AGM Minutes 2016

AGM DRAFT Minutes 2017
Island Corridor Foundation Financial Statements 2016 – Signed
Current Director List

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AVICC Workshop

cwieler — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 22:21:21 +0000

The Island Corridor Foundation and Southern Rail provided background information and a current operations update that assisted the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) delegates in responding to the initial working draft of the ICF Business Plan, click here for to view the draft business plan.

AVICC is the longest established area association under the umbrella of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). The area association was established in 1950. It now has a membership of 51 municipalities and regional districts that stretch from the Central Coast Regional District down to the tip of Vancouver Island and include Powell River and the Sunshine Coast. The Association deals with issues and concerns that affect large urban areas to small rural communities.

We had a great turn out, over 100 delegates attended the morning workshop, please click the images below for the power points from the workshop

To view more videos that are posted on our facebook page, click here

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ICF Draft Business Plan for public input

cwieler — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 23:19:34 +0000

The ICF Board of Directors is in the process of updating the Foundation’s business plan, and would like your input on what the Board’s goals and priorities should be in the years ahead.
A summary of the responses will be presented to the Board and further drafts will be posted for public input.
View the summary form results here

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Province to review options for commuter train services in the CRD

cwieler — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 20:16:12 +0000

Based on support from communities across the Capital Regional District, including Langford, Victoria, Esquimalt and View Royal, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will look at options around using the E&N rail line for transit services between Langford and Victoria West.

“There has been strong community support for establishing a commuter service from the West Shore,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “Previous referendums held in Langford and Colwood showed more than 90% of residents were in favour of the idea. We’re listening to what residents are telling us, and we are excited about the possibilities and want to engage further with the local governments as we work to turn this concept into reality.
“As with any major initiative, the first step is to ensure that this idea meets the criteria for safety, sustainability and affordability, and that it makes good business sense before moving forward.”
The proposal to use a portion of the E&N line for transit service on the 15-kilometre stretch between Westhills in Langford and Vic West has been endorsed by the four communities. The proposal centres on how quickly the population is growing in the region and how the population growth is continuing to cause congestion along Highway 1 into Victoria.
“If feasible, transit service along the E&N corridor from the West Shore would complement the investments we’re making in transit infrastructure in Greater Victoria, including a $10 million extension to the Douglas Street northbound bus lane, from Tolmie Avenue to the McKenzie interchange project, and the investment in the McKenzie interchange project itself, to address traffic congestion in the region,” added Stone.
A working group, including representatives from the ministry, local government, BC Transit, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) and BC Safety Authority, will be established to provide input on a corridor analysis the ministry will be undertaking, which will look at the options and potential opportunities for this part of the E&N rail corridor. The analysis is anticipated to be completed by the summer. As with all transit services in the region, any new service would be seamlessly integrated within the BC Transit system in Greater Victoria and overseen by VRTC.
“We look forward to participating in the study to examine transit opportunities on the corridor,” said BC Transit president and CEO Manuel Achadinha.
“New transportation options are critically important for the economy and social well-being of our growing region,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. “It makes good sense to explore the potential of using the E&N rail line for moving people between the Westshore and downtown.”
“I thank the Province for taking on this initiative,” said View Royal Mayor David Screech. “I believe the use of the E&N corridor is essential in the transportation planning for this region.”
“I would like to acknowledge all the assistance the Province has provided to Langford in constructing the numerous infrastructure projects undertaken in our growing community,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young. “We welcome the Province’s active involvement in the E&N Commuter Rail project to ensure a currently inactive corridor can be used to provide a vital link between Victoria and the vibrant community of Langford.”
“There has been concerted effort over a number of years to get this corridor seriously looked at; we are closer than ever now with the support of the Province,” said Township of Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins. “The need for another corridor is illustrated every day when unfortunate incidents restrict traffic flow. Thanks to the Province for moving forward on this significant opportunity for improved transit in the region.”
The E&N rail line is owned by the Island Corridor Foundation, which has been working for several years to resume passenger rail service on the line. The foundation has expressed its support for the commuter train service proposal between Vic West and Langford.

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Community Round Table Meeting

cwieler — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 01:31:08 +0000

Over 45 people attending the first Community Round Table Meeting held in Parksville on Friday, February 3rd. Attendees heard from speakers from partnering organizations involved with the corridor foundation to provide an in-depth look of the current and future opportunities.
Round table attendees will participate in topics included:
– SVI Rail operations & business plan
– Trail Development
– First Nation Declaration
– Historic Stations
– Tourism Excursion Train
– Alberni Pacific Railway
– Biking Tourism Opportunities
– Commuter Train

Agenda – Community Round Table Meeting

Frank Butzelaar, President SVI Reviewing the Four Pillar approach for rail on Vancouver Island.

Frank Reviewing the VIA Rail Train Service Agreement

Current Rail Car Business

View More of his presentation below

Joan Mitchel, RDN giving an overview of the new rail trail from Parksville out to Coombs

Kathryn Gagnon, curator of the Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives

Kevin Hunter, president of Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society (IHS)

View More of his presentation below

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