18 December 2009
RailAmerica, Inc. Announces Early Termination of Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR) Lease with
Canadian Pacific
Jacksonville Florida USA - RailAmerica today reported that its subsidiary RaiLink
Canada Ltd. has closed on a transaction with the Canadian Pacific Railway to terminate its lease of the Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR) line. Under the terms of
the agreement, RailAmerica, Inc. received $73 million in gross proceeds. The Company estimates net cash proceeds after taxes and transaction related expenses
of $69 to $70 million.
RailAmerica's subsidiary will terminate its lease of the CP-owned OVR rail line between Smiths Falls and Camspur, near Petawawa, Ontario, effective upon
clearance of the remaining cars from the line. Under the Canada Transportation Act, CP has 60 days to decide if train service will be restored on the line.
RailAmerica's subsidiary will continue to maintain and operate the CP-owned rail lines between Sudbury and Mattawa, Mattawa and Temiscaming, Quebec, and
Mattawa and Camspur until dates in 2010 to be determined by CP.
The OVR operation consists of 342 mainline miles of track and primarily transports bridge traffic, chemicals, and pulp and paper products. For the nine
months ended 30 Sep 2009, total revenue for OVR was $13.3 million, operating income was $4.6 million, depreciation/amortization expense was $0.4 million and
capital expenditures were $0.7 million. The Company will record the income or loss from these operations in discontinued operations beginning in the fourth
quarter of 2009.
RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates shortline and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 40 individual railroads with
approximately 7,400 miles of track in 27 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.
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