For Immediate Release
January 16, 2004
Mayor Wayne Dahlen and Councilor Bud Powell
traveled to Juneau, Alaska this week to attend a major
rail conference and discuss with British Columbia, Yukon
and Alaska officials, plans for constructing a rail-link
between Alaska and Northern British Columbia. In his
comments to delegates, Mayor Dahlen recognized the importance
of the new CN-BC Rail partnership and what it will mean
for northeastern British Columbia. The Mayor advised
that “this new partnership will be great for northern
B.C. by providing an east-west corridor for the shipment
of grain to Prince Rupert. In addition, this new partnership
will provide the shortest and fastest routes for moving
northern resources to both southern U.S. and Mexican
markets.”
Mayor Dahlen stated that, “our city
will benefit economically from this new partnership through
the reopening of the rail link between Hythe, Alberta
and Dawson Creek which will facilitate grain movement
from the Peace Region.” Mayor Dahlen advised delegates
that, “The job will not be finished, however, until
the dream of connecting the Alaskan Railroad to B.C.
Rail is realized. The economic benefits that will flow
to Alaska, Yukon and Northern B.C. from a north-south
rail-link cannot be measured just in shipping benefits.
The establishment of a north-south rail-link will be
a catalyst in opening the door to new resource exploration
and development and provide exciting new tourism opportunities
for all three jurisdictions.”
Mayor Dahlen stressed that future decisions
regarding the location of this important north-south
rail-link should take into consideration the strategic
international importance of the Alaska Highway as a major
north-south transportation corridor. The Mayor explained
that “the Alaska Highway has been the major economic
engine allowing the easy shipment of freight and other
commodities for over 60 years and has significantly contributed
to the economic development of Alaska, Yukon and Northeastern
B.C. The importance of this great highway corridor and
its future development as a major transportation corridor
cannot be underestimated. The development of an oil and
gas pipeline and a north-south rail-link would provide
a shorter route for reaching central and eastern North
American markets. The further development of this important
international land-link would also provide new opportunities
for tourism operators.”
Mayor Dahlen also spoke to
delegates on behalf of Fort Nelson Mayor Chris Morey,
who was unable to attend the Rail Conference because
of inclement weather. In her prepared text Mayor Morey
stated that “Without rail service to Fort Nelson,
we would not have an oriented strand board plant, a veneer
operation, or a lumber mill. Those operations account
for at least half of the employment in our community,
and the availability of rail is what makes them viable.”
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For further information please contact
the City of Dawson Creek at (250) 784-3616.
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