3103 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Halalt First Nation also seeking return of land used for rail corridor

 

 

 

The Halalt First Nation near Chemainus is seeking the return of land taken from its reserve for the E&N railway in the early 1900s.

 

It earlier went to the Supreme Court of B.C. asking for land taken for the now closed railway. That suit remains active.

The nation is now considering the implications of Island corridor announcements on Tuesday by the federal and provincial governments.

 

They said that the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation at Nanoose is getting back 10 acres of Island corridor land running through its reserve and the province is putting in $18 million for consultation.

 

Vancouver Island residents were waiting to hear whether a proposed modern railway system would be backed by senior governments or if it might be used instead as a trail.

 

 

https://www.timescol...orridor-6708101

[Victoria Watcher]

$1B rail and barge network proposed for Island; would help relieve congestion at Vancouver terminals

 

Under Island Rail Corp.’s ambitious proposal, it would offer local, national and international rail freight service and serve local passengers and tourists up and down the Island

 

 

A new company is proposing a partnership with governments and First Nations to establish a $1-billion modern freight rail service between ports in Port Alberni and Nanaimo, supported by barges carrying cargo to the Lower Mainland.

 

__________________

 

Cargo would come into Port Alberni and be loaded onto rail cars. From there, the freight would be ­carried by rail to ­Nanaimo, where 50 cars, with two stacked containers each, could go straight onto a barge to the mainland, Hayden said.

 

The service would help ease congestion at the busy port in Vancouver.

 

Hayden said when the company spoke to potential freight customers on the Island, “the interest was phenomenal.”

 

“We did manage to chase the economics and come up with a viable option to make the ­project work financially.”

 

Island Rail Corp., ­headquartered in Victoria, is also exploring the possibility of bringing cargo from Mexico to Port Alberni and establishing new businesses there, Hayden said.

 

Along with the mid-Island freight service, it’s looking at carrying freight up and down the Island as well as running passenger service for locals and tourists. Parallel hiking and ­biking pathways would be ­incorporated, the company said.

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...rminals-6714512

 

 

Its first goal is to see land returned to First Nations and then an agreement would have to be reached with First Nations as a partner, he said. It’s not known how long that might take.

 

From that point, it would take about 30 months to get the ­railway operating, he said.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 March 2023 - 04:05 AM.

[Sparky]

^ I hope they don't forget to calculate in the wait time in Vancouver to unload said barge. The reason that freighters are anchoring out off of Vancouver Island is that the unloading platform is full. Dropping off your load (destined for Vancouver) will not reduce the fullness of it all...it will only make the shipment more expensive. 

 

Drop your load in Port Alberni...put it on a train to Nanaimo...load that train it onto a barge...float it across the Salish Sea by tugboat...and ultimately unload it in Vancouver (Allah willing). Don't forget we have to bring the train back to Port Alberni so we can do this again. Now there is a cost effective plan for you.

 

Is this the meaning of fate?

 

Oh sorry I thought you said freight.

[Mike K.]

We’ve talked about this very plan for a long time.

One supposes you could store the containers at the Alberni Inlet port and in Nanaimo until room is available at the PoV, then you barge them over, and bring back loaded containers for export. You can also move export containers over without bringing loaded containers to the PoV.

And because you’re moving smaller volumes, it might be easier for the PoV to handle them than when a ship with 500 containers rolls up.

[dasmo]

The key in that plan was the return to the First Nations. They are not under the purview of the provincial government. Get it out of the control of the ICF and the provincial government. Much easier to make something happen. 

 

Clever. I understand now. It has to die in order to be reborn.  

Edited by dasmo, 17 March 2023 - 09:42 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Steve Wallis camps on the line. Hard to tell where.

https://youtu.be/Wh4uUodS40E

But there are a few drone shots near the beginning that might give some clue.

[Mike K.]

Ladysmith?

https://maps.app.goo...RhZgMHA?g_st=ic

[Victoria Watcher]

Trail along old E&N line would cost $172.7 million and bring economic benefits, say advocates

Study is based on idea of four-metre-wide 289-kilometre trail between Victoria and Courtenay, with link to Port Alberni.



https://www.timescol...vocates-7128202




We do NOT need inter-city trails.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 June 2023 - 11:03 AM.

[aastra]

 

We do NOT need inter-city trails.

 

You don't think lots and lots of people would be choosing to cycle or even walk up island if only there was a decent trail?

[Victoria Watcher]

Lol. Exactly.

[aastra]

You know, the Dallas Road/Beach Drive route is a touring cyclist's dream. So much to see, a route that can be either pleasant or challenging depending on how you want to proceed, and yet it's all so convenient to access without even leaving the city. If we include things like the breakwater, the points and beaches, the various hills and lookouts, and the trail all the way out to Sidney, then shouldn't we already have an extremely valuable asset right there? And hasn't it been there for many, many years already? So what's its measurable and quantifiable value in dollars per year? Obviously it would have to be way more valuable than this up island trail could ever be, and -- as we all know -- that up island trail would be an economic driver to the tune of $50 million per year, right?

 

I feel like we want to have it both ways when we talk about the economic promises of cycling. On the one hand we want to claim some expensive new pavement somewhere would be a gold mine, but on the other hand we want to ignore the tremendous things that have existed for a long time but which nobody ever mentions because apparently they just aren't worth very much. If they were worth much then they would be getting promoted like crazy, right? I'm going to file this as yet another major contradiction in a popular narrative.

[aastra]

Seriously, how much is the Mt. Tolmie lookout worth as an economic driver related to motoring/cycling/walking tourism? If we say it can't be measured or if we don't even want to bother to mention it then we're effectively admitting the insincerity of these premises.

[aastra]

Note: I'm not saying cycling and tourism can't be a potent mix. I'm saying the opposite. I'm saying why go searching for a potential gold mine in the wilderness when you already have one in your backyard?

[LJ]

Both the GG and Lochside trails were packed today. Basically, only one place to stop and get a snack or something is at the Nest restaurant near Burnside road, on the route we took.

[Nparker]

Both the GG and Lochside trails were packed today....

I guess that means there were far fewer vehicles on the roads today.

Edited by Nparker, 11 June 2023 - 08:35 PM.

[lanforod]

Both the GG and Lochside trails were packed today. Basically, only one place to stop and get a snack or something is at the Nest restaurant near Burnside road, on the route we took.

Seems like some food truck parking could be a good idea for certain areas.

[Matt R.]

Both the GG and Lochside trails were packed today. Basically, only one place to stop and get a snack or something is at the Nest restaurant near Burnside road, on the route we took.

The burger shack at Michell’s is great. I think they have a liquor license now.

https://www.harvestrd.com/

[Victoria Watcher]

This Semi-waterfront Lantzville building lot is over half an acre. Unobstructed and amazing ocean views with a western exposure for amazing sunsets. With only an old unused railway easement separating you from the Oceanfront (Railway line has not been used in many years) this lot is ready to build on with minimal site prep and builder available to consult. Building plans are available on request. Rumming Road is just minutes to all the amenities of Nanaimo and yet still retaining a country ambience, this property is the closest thing to waterfront you will see. If you have been waiting for a special lot to build your Dream Home this is the lot for you. Price is plus GST.

 

 

 

$650,000

 

 

Lot 9 Rumming Rd
Lantzville, British Columbia V0R2H0

 

https://www.realtor....ower-lantzville

 

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 June 2023 - 09:23 AM.

[aastra]

Does anyone desire to see some stellar pictures of buried streetcar tracks on Fort Street?

[Victoria Watcher]

A Vancouver company is trying their hand at getting support for a transportation alternative on the South Island. This time the pitch is for ultra-light rail.

 

It’s a noiseless, battery-operated, albeit experimental, rail car alternative, and it’s the most recent solution being pitched to ease the Colwood Crawl.

 

“The electric age has arrived. We feel that electric mobility is here to stay,” said Stephen Kong with ThinkEco.

 

ThinkEco is linking up with U.K. company Penmark, who are train experts at the forefront of ultra-light rail in Coventry and are now setting their sights on Canada, more specifically municipalities on the West Shore.

 

“We’d like to see it properly tested along with Transportation Canada standards,” said Kong. “But on the marketing side, it’s been a long time since Victoria has seen a train, and it’s also going to be great to showcase the technology to the rest of North America.”

 

View Royal and Colwood councils are already on board, directing staff to work with neighbouring municipalities to identify a two to three kilometre stretch of municipally owned land where a mini track, acting as both a test site and showroom for the ultra-light rail concept, could be set up.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...in-crd-1160169/

 

 

 

 

Somebody should tell these guys the Colwood Crawl has already been solved.  It essentially no longer exists.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 July 2023 - 06:59 PM.