The Government of Saskatchewan has announced an annual investment of $1 million for short line rail infrastructure in the province. “Short line rail helps connect Saskatchewan commodities on their journeys to markets around the world,” Highways Minister Kim Gartner said in an update from the province on Thursday. “They provide a safe and efficient option to move bulk commodities and that helps protect Saskatchewan highways by reducing wear and tear from vehicles.” The announcement was made outside near a locomotive at Cantuar northwest of Swift Current. The funding will be used for track upgrades and expansion, improved crossing surfaces and sightlines, bridge maintenance, track rehabilitation, and other projects under the Short Line Railway Improvement Program (SRIP), according to the province. The SRIP is a 50-50 cost-sharing program between the provincial government ($1 million) and privately owned short lines ($1 million), funding short line rail infrastructure up to $2 million. The government funding will go to several projects in the province: “Over 150 communities in Saskatchewan are located along short line railways and we are proud of our role as stewards of rural infrastructure, quality employers and transportation providers that help bring the best of Saskatchewan grain, potash and energy products to the world and bring the goods we need back home,” said Rachel Mackenzie, Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association’s director of communications and government relations. According to the province, 14 provincially-regulated short line railways operate on 2,123 kilometres of track in Saskatchewan.
