CANADA: Transport Canada and the government of Québec announced on February 1 the award of grants to co-finance renewal and upgrading work on nine short line and regional railways over the next five years.

The federal and provincial governments had announced a framework agreement in July 2007 for a package totalling C$75m, to which the Canadian government is contributing C$30m, Québec C$20m and the railway operators C$25m.

The work covers 1 641 km of track out of the 2 300 km total operated by short line companies, accounting for 38% of Québec's rail network. There are three main elements in the package:

• replacing life-expired track and structures to eliminate temporary speed restrictions and reduce maintenance costs;
• increasing axleloads from 30 to 32·5 tonnes to accept heavier freight wagons now in use on Class I railways;
• adding extra sidings and passing loops to improve operational flexibility.

'The restoration of short line railways will generate socio-economic benefits for the regions of Québec', said federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure & Communities Lawrence Cannon. 'This project will provide support to the industries and businesses that use the rail network and will increase the efficiency of the trade corridors in these regions.'