Federal funding for rail repairs good news for Maritime communities: mayor

BATHURST, N.B. – A New Brunswick mayor says reports of federal funding for repairs to a vital stretch of track in the province used by Via Rail is good news for all the communities along the passenger line in the Maritimes.

Bathurst Mayor Stephen Brunet says he’s been rallying for months to save the 70-kilometre stretch of track between Miramichi and Bathurst used to provide rail service to the east coast.

He says he hopes the repairs mean Via Rail can ramp up its passenger service to the Maritimes.

Brunet says although the funding hasn’t been officially confirmed by Ottawa, he and several other mayors have been told to be in Fredericton on Monday for an announcement by federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt and New Brunswick Premier David Alward.

The province previously announced it would provide $25 million to improve rail infrastructure in northern New Brunswick, while CN agreed to spend a comparable amount to maintain and operate its freight line for a 15-year period.

Brunet says he’s heard Ottawa will put up $10 million to repair the stretch of track between Miramichi and Bathurst, which was not included in the provincial government’s agreement with CN.

Raitt’s office would only say that the announcement Monday relates to passenger rail service.