WINNIPEG – An agreement in principle has been reached to restore rail service to Churchill and revive the northern Manitoba community’s port.
The federal government and a consortium of northern communities called One North are among the partners in the project to take over the rail line, which has been out of service since severe flooding last spring.
The current owner, Denver-based Omnitrax, has said it cannot afford the tens of millions of dollars in repairs and has been in discussions for months to sell the assets.
RELATED: One year later, Churchill residents still waiting for rail line fix
The rail line is the only land link to Churchill and goods and tourists have had to be flown in at much higher prices since the flood.
Churchill Mayor Mike Spence says the agreement to transfer ownership of the rail line and port on the shore of Hudson Bay is historic.
Christian Sinclair, co-chairman of One North, says details of the agreement still have to be finalized.
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