A special meeting has been scheduled for Thursday (Feb. 26) to discuss the former CSX rail line connecting Wallaceburg, Dresden and Chatham.
A lengthy report to council states that “time has now run out on the offer from CP Rail to purchase back the track materials” as the option expires on March 2.
The Municipality has the option to purchase the track materials at a price tag of just over $3.6 million.
However, a staff report indicates administration is recommending to not make this purchase.
“Rail is an important mode of transportation that offers economic benefits for Chatham-Kent businesses,” a staff report indicates.
“In particular, the Railway Line is a vital link between the communities of Chatham, Dresden, Tupperville and Wallaceburg, and provides access for agriculture and other industries to transport goods throughout the world by connecting to other major rail links.”
“If the Municipality of Chatham-Kent had not stepped forward in 2006 to purchase the railway, CSX Transportation would have proceeded to abandon the Railway Line, cease service and shortly after, remove the steel tracks. Without the Railway Line there will be no railway or rail service in Wallaceburg, Tupperville and Dresden, as well as points in between.”
The staff report indicates that administration is aware of “several possible businesses” hoping to locate new operations in Chatham-Kent, along the rail line.
These businesses would require the rail line to be operational.
Administration has been actively searching for a buyer for the rail line since 2013.
During that time, council has rejected three separate offers from two prospective buyers for the rail line.
We’ll provide more information about this story when it becomes available.
