On Friday, Highways Minister and Estevan MLA Lori Carr announced provincial funding for short-line rail infrastructure in Saskatchewan. 

The $530,000 in funding will be split over 13 short-line rails across the province. Several of the railways receiving funding are located in the southeast, including Stewart Southern Railway from Stoughton to Regina, Red Coat Road and Rail in the Ogema area, and Great Western Railway near Coronach. 

"Short-line railways play an important role in getting Saskatchewan's food, fuel and fertilizer on their journeys to worldwide markets, which helps keep our export-based economy strong to sustain our quality of life," Carr said. "We are proud to invest in this transportation sector as it is essential to keeping our great and growing province strong."  

The money was divided among the eligible tracks based on the amount of track that particular rail line has. The larger the track the more money the line would receive.   

“It helps get our goods to market which is obviously paramount to the economy and our province," said Carr. "These rail lines help take those heavy loads off our highways. Which will help ensure the highways last longer.”   

Rachel Mackenzie, director of communications and government relations of the Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association explained that the funding was a positive development for the railway industry in Saskatchewan. She added that they received a similar amount of funding in the previous year.    
  
“So what's kind of interesting about this program is that the operator can kind of choose based on what they most need for their particular line,” said Mackenzie.   

Funds allocated through the Short Line Railway Improvement Program (SRIP) will assist with track upgrades and expansion, improved crossing surfaces and sight lines, bridge maintenance, track rehabilitations and other projects.  

“They’re not very glamorous you know, ballast, ties and rails. It’s rock, wood and metal, but those are the things that you really need to maintain to keep the rail infrastructure safe and efficient,” explained McKenzie.