With no government funding in sight, the rail spur which runs between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie may no longer be running at the end of the year.
In a release, Genesee & Wyoming Canada Incorporated, which runs the 228-kilometre Huron Central Railway line, states they will cease operations by the end of this year since it had not secured $40 million in government funding for rehabilitation to maintain the spur.
The closure would not only affect the 40 people who are employed by the company, but also Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Espanola’s Domtar Mill and the EACOM sawmill in Nairn Centre.
Domtar’s Regional Public Affairs Manager, Bonny Skene says the company is making every effort to ensure customers are not affected and remain committed to doing their part on ensure sustainable rail service to the mill in Espanola.
She adds the rail service is used for inbound manufacturing chemicals and outbound finished product destined for customers and is hopeful the proposals put forward to both the provincial and federal governments in regard to the rail line is given careful consideration.