CN Rail cuts off Hay River, ending N.W.T.'s rail link to the south
What happened?
CN Rail has officially ended its rail service from Enterprise to Hay River, cutting off what territorial officials say is the Northwest Territories' only rail connection to the south.
CN Rail repaired the track from Alberta to the hamlet of Enterprise, 30 km south of Hay River, in October of last year.
However, CN Rail does not intend to repair a 30-km stretch of track between Hay River and Enterprise unless the federal government commits to funding the majority of the project.
What does this mean for Hay River?
The closure of the rail line to Hay River means that the community will no longer have access to rail service for freight or passengers.
This will have a significant impact on the community, as rail is the most efficient and cost-effective way to transport goods and people to and from Hay River.
What are the next steps?
The Government of the Northwest Territories is working with CN Rail to explore options for restoring rail service to Hay River.
The territorial government has also announced that it is investing $1 million in a feasibility study to determine the cost of repairing the 30-km stretch of track between Hay River and Enterprise.
Conclusion
The closure of the rail line to Hay River is a major setback for the community.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is working to explore options for restoring rail service, but it is unclear if or when this will happen.
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