(The Associated Press distributed the following article on May 28.)
WHITEHORSE, Yukon — Canada will join with the United States in studying a northern railway extending from Alaska to British Columbia, according to its federal transport minister.
The Yukon territory’s member of parliament, Larry Bagnell, this week released a letter he received from Transport Minister Tony Valeri about the possibility of a northern railway through Alaska and the Yukon to connecting tracks in British Columbia.
“I recommend that Canada proceed with a design-development exercise, led by Transport Canada,” Valeri wrote.
“This would involve the identification and review of options for organizing and managing a consultative study, including available resources, other needs and costs in an appropriate bi-national process.
“I will bring this matter to the attention of my colleagues and the prime minister and suggest this be communicated promptly to the U.S. government and state of Alaska.”
Bagnell said he thinks the letter will get the ball rolling on the Canadian side for a study.
Former President Bill Clinton, as one of his final acts in December 2000, signed legislation to start a joint northern railroad feasibility study. Since then, the U.S. government, Alaska state officials and Yukon territorial authorities have been awaiting a response from Ottawa.
Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie was told in February by Prime Minister Paul Martin that Ottawa was planning to give the project the go-ahead.
Bagnell said Canada transportation officials would talk to their U.S. counterparts about how to conduct the study. Proponents of the project in Alaska have indicated a railway, a pipeline and communications lines could be put down together in the same area.