Interesting news from the other side of the country.
Cape Breton Island Population: 93,700
So, a population of 93,700 warrants a study to see if light rail is feasible?
How about Vancouver Island and the E&N?
How about restoring a passenger service on the former BC electric interurban route to Chilliwack?
The distance between Port Hawksbury to Sydney, on Cape Breton, is about the same length (130 km) as the Vancouver to Chilliwack Rail for the Valley route, to reinstate a hourly diesel TramTrain service would cost around $1.5 billion to $1.75 billion, somewhat more than the Fraser Valley project, due to the unknown condition of the track.
TransLink and the provincial NDP really have to get with modern transit planning as their dated light-metro planning is both far too expensive and almost next to useless in reducing car use in the region.
For those living on Cape Breton, I sincerely wish them luck and see if their politcans are more enlighten than our lot on far side of the country.
Nova Scotia to fund feasibility study of Cape Breton light-rail line
Cape Breton University is proposing Atlantic Canada’s first light-rail line, with support from the province of Nova Scotia.Photo – Communications Nova Scotia
advertisement
The province of Nova Scotia is awarding CA$610,000 to support a study of whether to introduce light-rail service to Atlantic Canada.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is experiencing significant growth after years of population decline. Because of that, access to reliable transportation and housing near Cape Breton University has presented challenges, CBRM officials said in a news release.
Nova Scotia is earmarking funding for the university’s study of the potential for developing a battery-powered light-rail service in CBRM. The light-rail line would build on existing infrastructure and the rail corridor, CBRM officials said.
“Over the past five years, CBRM transit has done an exceptional job managing growth, but they need new options. For years, Cape Bretoners have seen the railway sit idle,” said Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston. “Now they’re seeing the population grow and the need for more efficient transportation. This project is something to get excited about.”
The study will include consultation with community members. Work is expected to begin immediately.
I’m thinking more of a battery LRT line, ala Ottawa’s O-Train using BMU’s (Battery Multiple Units) mainline railway vehicles instead of actual Battery powered Light Rail Vehicles. However, we will see, you never know? The battery aspect seems to be a pretty prominent feature. The self contained nature of Cape Breton Island (It’s so beautiful as well) makes the rail line an easier sell.
Considering what yoh have to do to reactivate an inactive rail line, many bridges and and structures are just too old. You have to use modern designs and materials, on these structures when you reactivate them as per federal rules, so $2.5 Billion to $2.8 Billion for the entire 130 km length.
That being said it wouldn’t be difficult to connect many if not nearly all important sites on the island, like the airport, central Sydney, the University of Cape Breton Island and westrn Sydney. You could have an urban portion running 30 minute frequency and rural portion with 1 or 2 hour frequency to the port and bridge at Port Hawksbury. Potentially even going to the mainland across the bridge. It all can be handled by a simple, single track (with passing tracks at stations) straightforward line, literally and figuratively. This could be easily done with a fleet of 6 to 8 vehicles at most.
I’m thinking more of a battery LRT line, ala Ottawa’s O-Train using BMU’s (Battery Multiple Units) mainline railway vehicles instead of actual Battery powered Light Rail Vehicles. However, we will see, you never know? The battery aspect seems to be a pretty prominent feature. The self contained nature of Cape Breton Island (It’s so beautiful as well) makes the rail line an easier sell.
Considering what yoh have to do to reactivate an inactive rail line, many bridges and and structures are just too old. You have to use modern designs and materials, on these structures when you reactivate them as per federal rules, so $2.5 Billion to $2.8 Billion for the entire 130 km length.
That being said it wouldn’t be difficult to connect many if not nearly all important sites on the island, like the airport, central Sydney, the University of Cape Breton Island and westrn Sydney. You could have an urban portion running 30 minute frequency and rural portion with 1 or 2 hour frequency to the port and bridge at Port Hawksbury. Potentially even going to the mainland across the bridge. It all can be handled by a simple, single track (with passing tracks at stations) straightforward line, literally and figuratively. This could be easily done with a fleet of 6 to 8 vehicles at most.