REGINA – The Government of Saskatchewan is putting $530,000 into provincial short line rail investments.
Under the province’s Short Line Railway Improvement Program (SRIP), funding will assist with track upgrades and expansion, improved crossing surfaces and sightlines, bridge maintenance, track rehabilitations and other projects, a release said.
Provincial grants provide up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs and are determined based on how much track each short line owns. Networks with less than 80 kilometres of track receive at least $25,000. Larger networks receive a proportional amount based on how much track they operate, the release said.
“Many short line railways are community owned, and serve rural communities, while also playing a vital role in the overall supply chain. Short line railways have a positive impact on highways infrastructure, the environment, and rural economies, while transporting freight on infrastructure that is primarily maintained and funded privately,” Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association president Andrew Glastetter added.
Saskatchewan has 13 short line railways operating on 2,123 kilometres of track.
SRIP allocations for 2024-25 and their operating locations are:
- Big Sky Rail, Delisle (Eston, Elrose region) – $87,035
- Carlton Trail Railway (Saskatoon to Prince Albert area) – $37,515
- Great Sandhills Railway (Swift Current to Leader area) – $43,089
- Great Western Railway (Assiniboia, Shaunavon, Coronach area) – $129,909
- Last Mountain Railway (Regina to Davidson) – $29,155
- Long Creek Railroad (west of Estevan) – $25,000
- Northern Lights Rail (west of Melfort) – $25,000
- Red Coat Road and Rail (Ogema area) – $25,000
- Southern Rails Cooperative (south of Moose Jaw) – $25,000
- Stewart Southern Railway (southwest of Regina to Stoughton) – $28,297
- Thunder Rail (Arborfield area) – $25,000
- Torch River Rail (Nipawin to Choiceland area) – $25,000
- Wheatland Rail (Cudworth, Wakaw area) – $25,000
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