CANADA: The Province of New Brunswick and CN announced an agreement to ensure the future of freight services on two sections of the former New Brunswick East Coast Railway on January 24.
The province is to provide up to C$25m for works to bring the infrastructure to the required operating standard. CN will spend a comparable amount to maintain and operate the line for 15 years between Irvco and Nepisquit Junction near Bathurst and from Catamount near Moncton to Nelson Junction near Newcastle.
The 70 km middle section between Nepisquit Junction and Nelson Junction requires significant investment and lacks originating and terminating traffic. As a result CN will offer it for sale before applying to discontinue operations.
'Our investment in the rehabilitation of two sections of railway line ensures companies in northern New Brunswick can continue to ship their goods to market efficiently and explore new opportunities for growth', said New Brunswick Premier David Alward.
