Politicians and other dignitaries gathered in Sault Ste. Marie, Aug 10, to mark the start of construction that will bring much needed upgrades to the Huron Central Railway, a northeastern Ontario short line railroad.
In a press conference at the Huron Central's Sault rail yard, local MP Bryan Hayes and MPP David Orazietti lauded their respective government's effort at each putting up matching $15 million investments to kick off the $33.3 million rehabilitation.
“Projects such as this one grow the economy by creating jobs, sustaining industries and providing efficient, low-cost rail access to local businesses,” said Hayes in a statement.
The Sault, Espanola, Essar Steel and Domtar almost lost the Huron Central in 2009 when its U.S. parent company, Genesee & Wyoming, announced it was withdrawing service because of declining freight volumes and deteriorating track conditions.
The line is owned by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), but it is operated by the Huron Central. CP was not prepared to take over service, or invest money, in a line it deemed too marginal to operate.
It forced city and senior government officials to scramble for funds and for Essar and Domtar to make freight commitments for the line.
“The fact that this event is taking place,” said Huron Central president Mario Brault, “is a direct result of the tremendous amount of faith and persistence from all the stakeholders involved.”
The 288-kilometre railroad hauls steel, forest products and chemicals between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. It serves 26 communities and First Nations in northeastern Ontario.