Provincial government to invest $100 million into Quebec branch line NEWSWIRE

GASPÈ, Quebec — The Premier of Quebec says that the provincial government will invest $100 million into a scenic branch line on the Gaspé Peninsula in an effort to restore freight and passenger rail service there.

The money will be used to upgrade track and bridges on the former Canadian National line between Matapédia and Gaspé. The 200-mile route is owned by the local government and operated by Société de chemin de fer de la Gaspésie. VIA Rail operated a tri-weekly passenger train called The Chaleur until 2013 when service was suspended due to deteriorating track.

Le Pharillon reports that the section between Matapédia and Port Daniel will be upgraded first so that the Gaspé Railway can serve a new cement plant. Currently, the only major freight traffic on the route are unit wind turbine trains out of New Richmond.

Premier Philippe Couillard says officials are hopeful that the entire route will be rebuilt in the next three years. Much of the line is along the coast, and washouts and erosion have impacted some sections of track, especially on the east end.

“It is a complex route,” Couillard says.

VIA Rail spokesperson Mariam Diaby tells Trains News Wire that the passenger railroad is working closely with the Quebec government and that they are optimistic that The Chaleur will return to the Gaspé Peninsula once track work is complete. “VIA Rail wishes to resume service in the area once the tracks are deemed safe for passenger rail operation,” Diaby says.