Don’t expect passenger rail to return to the north anytime soon says Murray

Don’t expect passenger rail to return to the north anytime soon if ever says Ontario’s Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure Glen Murray said in North Bay Friday.

Murray, who was in the Bay to announce an $8 million investment to infrastructure improvements for the North Bay area and surrounding region, took time out to speak with media at the MTO Patrol Yard.

“I don’t think passenger rail is viable,” he states.

“I wouldn’t take anything absolutely off the table but right now all the numbers I’ve seen that running trains right now is extremely expensive and if we continue to do that, that would reduce the amount of capacity in coach services and other things and would be harder to serve smaller communities that desperately need the better passenger services.”

So we will look at it as part of a large solution. Minister Gravelle is the leader on that I will support him as Minister of Transportation in that but we’ll take the time over the summer to look at a number of options.”

“We will look most seriously and firstly at options that are coming out of the community here and we’ll find something … the idea here is to move the greatest number of people safely, comfortably and affordably.”



Details of the $8 million investment to infrastructure improvements are contained in the news release below.

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The new Ontario government is investing just over $8 million to support improvements to critical infrastructure in the North Bay area and surrounding region.

The province is supporting these improvements through the Municipal Infrastructure Strategy, which is providing $90 million over the next three years to help municipalities across the province build and maintain key infrastructure.


Local projects include:

• replacing the Borgford Bridge in Kerns Township

• repairing the Pontleroy Creek Bridge in Brethour Township

• replacing water mains and sewers on Latchford and Probyn streets in Temiskaming Shores

• upgrades to the Field Sewage Treatment Plant in West Nipissing

• replacing the Wilson Lake Road Bridge in Temagami

• reconstruction of Chiswick Line in Chisholm Township

• rehabilitating Murphy Road Bridge in Mattawan Township

• replacing manholes to reduce infiltration in the wastewater system in Moosonee

Building on the Municipal Infrastructure Strategy, the province is providing an additional $100 million to help small and rural municipalities build and maintain roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. A consultation involving local and regional rural officials was held in Sault Ste. Marie today to discuss the fund’s scope and design.

Investing in infrastructure is part of the government’s plan to create jobs, build stronger communities and help people in their everyday lives.

QUOTES

“Small communities have unique and diverse infrastructure needs. Working together, our government is helping rural municipalities with vital infrastructure investments that create jobs and keep communities moving.”
— Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs

“The new Ontario government is committed to working with municipalities, especially our rural partners, to help make critical infrastructure investments that will strengthen our communities across the province. Through the Municipal Infrastructure Strategy, we are ensuring that the right investments are made at the right time.”
— Glen Murray, Minister of Infrastructure

QUICK FACTS

• Most Municipal Infrastructure Strategy funding is being provided to communities with populations under 20,000.

• Ontario has already distributed $9 million through the Municipal Infrastructure Strategy to help small, rural and northern municipalities prepare asset management plans.

• Since 2003, the Ontario government has provided approximately $13 billion to help municipalities repair and upgrade roads and bridges, improve water and wastewater treatment, and revitalize community infrastructure.

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