28 July 2005
CPR Adds 10 Low-Volume Branch Lines to
CTA Three-Year Plan
Long-term structural changes in the grain
handling industry has resulted in Canadian Pacific Railway updating its three-year
network plan for discontinuance with the addition of 10 low-volume branch
lines. Rail traffic has all but disappeared from these lines, which makes them
no longer viable for CPR to continue operating.
Adding the 10 lines to CPR's three-year network plan is the first step in
the legislated discontinuance process. Line discontinuance will take place in
accordance with the process established in the Canada Transportation Act
(CTA). Under the CTA process, prior to discontinuance, CPR must offer such
lines to third parties for continued rail operation.
The 10 branch lines added to the CTA Three-Year Plan are as follows:
Manitoba
- La Riviere subdivision, between Morden and La Riviere - 30.7 miles;
- Napinka subdivision, between La Riviere and Killarney - 49 miles.
Saskatchewan
- Radville subdivision, between Weyburn and Bengough - 70 miles;
- Outlook subdivision, between Loreburn and Broderick - 24.7 miles;
- Kerrobert subdivision, between Conquest and Herschel - 51.5 miles;
- Bulyea subdivision, between Neudorf and Cupar - 54.5 miles;
- Bromhead subdivision, between Estevan and Tribune - 42 miles.
Alberta
- Irricana subdivision, between Bassano and Standard - 36.4 miles;
- Cardston subdivision, between Stirling and Raymond - 7.7 miles;
- Stirling subdivision, between Foremost and Stirling - 45.7 miles.
Unless new rail operators are found for these branch lines, CPR intends
to discontinue operations in accordance with the Canada Transportation Act
(CTA). Under CTA provisions, lines slated for discontinuance must first be
offered for sale to the shortline marketplace for continued rail operation and
then to governments before the railway can discontinue its operations.
The decision allows the railway to direct much-needed resources - like
crew time, any salvaged rail and ties - to other subdivisions in each province
that have traffic or are experiencing growth and additional capacity needs,
including capacity for commodities like grain and potash.
CPR continues to monitor the viability of its branch line network. All
changes to the railway's discontinuance plans are made public through periodic
updates to the railway's Three-Year Plan. CPR's Three-Year Plan is posted at:
www.cpr.ca
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