Railroads around the province will have a bit more money to put towards projects as the province has sent out additional funding for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
That comes out to $530,000, which is the same amount as was given out last year to 13 different short-line railways.
Ministry of Highways spokesperson Steve Shaheen says that those railways are important to keep the province running.
"It's important to invest in rail, it's one other way to efficiently move products around the province. We have a lot of important goods to move in and out of the province because we are an export-based economy that is landlocked so rail is just another method to get those products moving efficiently and safely."
"The short-line rail industry plays a pivotal role in bolstering our economy by efficiently transporting agricultural goods and a multitude of other products across our growing province," Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "Our commitment to this program ensures the ongoing provision of grants to short lines, empowering them to enhance their tracks through upgrades and expansion projects."
The funding allocations for 2023-24 are as follows:
- Thunder Rail $25,000
- Torch River Rail $25,000
- Northern Lights Rail $25,000
- Southern Rails Cooperative $25,000
- Long Creek Railroad $25,000
- Wheatland Rail $25,000
- Red Coat Road & Rail $25,000
- Stewart Southern Railway $28,297
- Last Mountain Railway $29,155
- Carlton Trail Railway $37,515
- Great Sandhills Railway $43,089
- Big Sky Rail $87,035
- Great Western Railway $129,909
Shaheen details some of the different projects that might come up for those rail lines.
"There's a number of things that this program contributes towards, it includes expansion of rail siding or rail yards, improves crossing service and sightlines, maintains bridges, purchase of track equipment which is new to the program this year, and purchase of track materials."