LIGHT TRAIN STUDY A GREAT IDEA FOR CBRM
I am surprised at the response from local and provincial politicians regarding the end of the provincial subsidy for the unused portion of the derelict rail line in Cape Breton.
It’s about time the line was abandoned and as a taxpayer I have a few questions.
How can any person in power promote the revival of a contaminated (creosote) rail line that would rely on fossil fuels and cost more than $123 million to remove? Let’s keep in mind the rail line will not be able to run past 2035? So you think its OK to fix? I'm no politician or engineer, but I do realize long-term sustainability for this project is unobtainable fiscally and environmentally.
Why is there no transparency as to who, where and when received the subsidy in the first place? Did the subsidy go towards maintenance of the local railway in and around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality? Would it be that a few stakeholders lined their business pockets with this subsidy? It would be interesting to ask those who seemed opposed to this subsidy termination decision to answer these questions.
My main objective is to be part of a plan for a safe, economic, healthy and accessible Active Transportation path that can be utilized in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM).
The light train feasibility study is a great idea. Light trains (electric) transport people, not industrial goods. In many urban cities, several railroads have been covered to allow the light train track to be laid.
The new electric system would be a fraction of the cost of removing the rails. Local businesses on the waterfront and Sydney, the Nova Scotia Community College, Cape Breton University (CBU), the future central library, Center 200, the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, hotels, residents and all non-industrialized businesses would be sure to benefit short-term and long-term growth in this plan.
Fingers crossed that prior to the start of the $610,000 study being conducted by CBU, I am able to engage in the plan of integrating a multi-use paved path parallel with the light train. This passageway with a multi-use path and light train could extend through the Northside, Sydney and to CBU as an allinclusive transport corridor.
Three levels of government asked citizens for input on community transportation several years ago. Thousands of dollars was spent on consultants for Active Transportation and urban planning in CBRM. I joined a group of citizens who freely volunteered their time, participated, listened to, researched and provided fiscally constrained solutions to this issue to all levels of government.
It was a low cost "winwin" plan. We must move ahead with a focus on climate change, environment and health of our future and fellow citizens. Times have changed.
To those in power: where are your critical thinking skills? Am I surprised at the response from our politicians? You bet!
Elaine Swartz
Sydney