11 January 2010

County Must Take the Least in CP Rail Line Discussions, Says Mayor

Arnprior Ontario - The future of an Ottawa Valley rail line was the subject of discussions between Canadian Pacific (CP) and area politicians last week.
 
The discussions, initiated by CP, were prompted by an announcement 18 Dec 2009 in which Rail America Inc., the parent company of Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR), stated it has terminated its lease of the OVR line with Canadian Pacific (CP).
 
As a result, Canadian Pacific had has 60 days from the end of the lease, as per the Canadian Transportation Act, to decide if train service will be restored on the line once OVR has cleared its remaining cars off the line.
 
Depending on what it decides, the rail line could be abandoned by CP.
 
The rail line stretches from Smiths Falls to Sudbury.
 
The Chalk River subdivision is the track that comes right through Valley towns like Carleton Place, Arnprior, and Renfrew.
 
According to a press release, RailAmerica Inc. received $73 million in gross proceeds as part of the terms of the agreement.
 
"This clearly is a county issue.
 
The warden and staff are to call another meeting," Arnprior mayor Terry Gibeau stated.
 
Theresa Fritz.