Trains to begin moving along Arbutus Corridor for the first time since 2001

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A letter has been sent to people living along the Arbutus Corridor saying Canadian Pacific trains will be moving down the tracks there for the first time since 2001.

The letter says the company will start transporting and storing rail cars on the tracks in the coming weeks.

“We ask for your cooperation in staying off the railway corridor for safety reasons. It is illegal to walk, drive or cycle on or alongside the railway line. Should you need to cross the tracks, do so only at marked crossings,” the letter states.

This comes after negotiations over a potential sale of the land failed with the City of Vancouver. Vancouver’s mayor has been fighting to prevent rail cars from moving down the tracks.

Here is a statement from Mayor Gregor Robertson.

“I remain fully opposed to the reactivation of trains on the Arbutus corridor, after more than 15 years of inactivity on the route. The City of Vancouver has a wide variety of significant public safety concerns about CP’s course of action, and City staff  have thoroughly communicated those concerns to Transport Canada.

The track in question was abandoned, unused, and unmaintained by CP for 15 years. The population density along the track is significant, there is a lack of upgraded crossing infrastructure on a short corridor with nearly fifty level crossings that include every major east-west arterial in Vancouver.  The grade on the corridor is some of the steepest of any rail line in all of British Columbia, and the City of Vancouver has not been permitted to accompany officials for their safety inspection of the track.

We continue to be available to CP should they wish to return to talks with the City on the future of the corridor, but Vancouver will not be bullied, and we will not accept seeing our neighbourhoods and families along the corridor having their safety put at risk. The City will continue to review our options in response to every action taken on the corridor.”

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