VANCOUVER – Canadian Pacific is asking people and businesses to clear any property that runs along the train tracks in the Arbutus Corridor as it continues its review of the rail line.
Over 15,000 people have been given notices by CP, who say the 45-acre route from the Oak Street Bridge to the Burrard Street Bridge must be cleared by July 31.
“At the end of the day, the Arbutus Corridor is still an operation rail lines as defined by the Canadian Transportation Act,” said Ed Greenberg of Canadian Pacific.
“We want to look at operational options.”
CP began asking people to clear the line in April, but they say gardens and small structures along the line are causing problems and must be removed so CP employees can do their job.
READ MORE: Residents fear Canadian Pacific preparing Arbutus corridor for trains.
There haven’t been trains on the line since 2001. In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that the City of Vancouver has final say on developing the corridor – and the city has adamantly said they’re against a return of heavy rail.
“The City doesn’t support the reactivation of cargo trains along the Corridor and we have expressed this clearly to CP,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson in May.
“The corridor is a unique, green route running from False Creek to the Fraser River, crossing several residential neighbourhoods, and our vision for it is to maintain it as greenway for residents of Vancouver until there’s a viable case for rail transit use.
No decisions have been made about re-activating the line and more information is expected in August. For now, the jurisdictional battle between Vancouver and CP continues.
“We are still open to continuing discussions with the city as we move forward with our operational review,” said Greenberg.
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