Monday August 21, 2023 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated August 22, 2023]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
An urban ultra-light rail pilot project is being proposed for the west shore. It would require a length of 2 to 3 km, and the target area is through three west shore municipalities: View Royal, Colwood and Langford.
View Royal and Colwood have already heard presentations from ThinkEco Power Systems and seem to be favourable, and the company is hoping that Langford will be on board, according to presenter Stephen Kong, at this evening’s City of Langford Regular Council meeting.
Langford Mayor Scott Goodman asked the presenter if the 2 to 3 km stretch needs to be in a straight line, and if a grade can be accommodated. Answer: the route doesn’t have to be straight, and a reasonable gradient can be accommodated.
The test vehicle to run on the light-rail line would be “environmentally acceptable bi-directional”.
Funding aspects:
Kong said that the federal government prefers if a few municipalities are on board for the project, as part of funding consideration.
ThinkEco Power Systems Corporation of Vancouver is privately funded.
CRD is focussing on E&N:
A presentation has also been made to the Capital Regional District (CRD) but apparently the CRD is focusing on the E&N Corridor scenario with the Island Corridor Foundation (which requires significant First Nations input and collaboration, a process which continues to take time).
If this private project were to proceed, it could meanwhile allow for some progress and leadership on providing rail-based transportation on south Vancouver Island.
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Island Social Trends has been reporting on west shore news since 2008 (formerly MapleLine Magazine 2008-2010, Sooke Voice News 2011-2013 and West Shore Voice News 2014-2020, then Island Social Trends since mid-2020). News is posted daily at IslandSocialTrends.ca .
Editor is Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Cert PR.
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