Economic corridor touted
Councillor supports having rail link operate between Saskatoon, Regina
Darren Bernhardt, The StarPhoenix
Published: Tuesday, September 04, 2007
A rail link between Saskatoon and Regina could foster a lucrative economic corridor, but those cities have to take action before CN abandons a portion of the existing line, states a report going to city council tonight.
"These two cities are not unlike Calgary and Edmonton, which have recognized the economic corridor between them and are considering improvements to the rail links, including the potential of a rapid passenger link," states the report to Saskatoon councillors.
"Saskatoon and Regina, though not as large, will in the future, through their own growth, develop and support (their own) economic corridor.
"A rail connection . . . could indeed benefit the development of the corridor."
The idea was first raised in early June by Coun. Charlie Clark, who learned CN had applied to abandon the line between Regina and Craik.
He asked administration to check on the status of the line and the potential impact it could have on the future transportation strategy for Saskatoon and the surrounding region, "as this is the only direct rail corridor connecting the two main urban centres of the province.
"And given that rail transportation is one of the most efficient forms of travel in terms of greenhouse gas emissions" it makes sense to protect and pursue it, he said in an interview Sunday.
City administration is requesting council give it the go-ahead to contact the City of Regina to develop a strategy on the potential line abandonment by CN.
"While (forming the corridor) may not be feasible tomorrow, we should at least protect those lines for down the road," said Clark. "Once any part of that chain is broken, it becomes less feasible to create that corridor."
According to the report from administration, there are currently no CN or VIA trains that travel between the two cities. CN operates one freight train, once per week, between Saskatoon and Davidson to service grain elevators.
Since 2001, the railway has not operated freight trains between Davidson and Regina.
"While this decision (to decommission the line) may be understandable at this point in time, there may be longer-term consequences for both Saskatoon and Regina," the report states.
"It could benefit both (cities) to ensure that the corridor is not lost permanently. Therefore, we are recommending that the two cities voice their concerns."
Clark is not certain how the process would work, but believes the provincial government would be "an essential player in purchasing or taking over control of the line."
"As gas prices continue to climb and we keep with our recently announced strategy to reduce greenhouse gases, we have to look at more efficient ways to get around," he said.
Much travel between Saskatoon and Regina already exists and it will only grow heavier as the cities get bigger, he said, noting the Roughrider fans who make the trek to Regina for games like the Labour Day Classic "and all the Rolling Stone" concert-goers.
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While it makes sense to secure future possibilities, one significant difference between the Calgary/Edmonton corridor and the Saskatoon/Regina corridor is the population and towns between Saskatoon and Regina are few and offer little in terms of employment as compared to the Alberta corridor. I suppose this could change and see Davidson grow into a small Red Deer, but I am doubtful such an increase in population and economic activity would occur in my lifetime.
Regardless of current realities, future possibilities must be considered.
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