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CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
MP wants passenger rail in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region as CN Rail pulls out
The MP representing B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region wants to see passenger rail introduced in the booming region north of Vancouver, just weeks after CN Rail said it intends to discontinue its operations in the area. CN Rail is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a portion of B.C.'s rail network between Squamish and Exeter, just northwest of 100 Mile House. On July 11, the national rail operator said it provided notice of its intent to discontinue those operations, potentially opening the door for another operator of the railway line that is ultimately governed by the province. While the announcement potentially jeopardizes an existing long-haul passenger service, the local MP and two mayors say it opens the door for commuter service in a rapidly-growing region and the option to ensure its resiliency going forward. "I would say that Highway 99 is very much at capacity. We're seeing major congestion. We're seeing frequent, often fatal crashes in the area," said West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiler. "And it's having a major impact on the communities — not just in the Sea-to-Sky, but actually all the way down to creating congestion into Metro Vancouver. So ... there is a major need for alternative transportation options." Weiler said the Sea-to-Sky region, which has been seeing an influx of residents ever since Highway 99 was expanded for the 2010 Olympics, has had its population grow by 60 per cent since then. He said the region had regular passenger rail until 23 years ago, when provincial Crown corporation B.C. Rail ended operations. A year later, the then-B.C. Liberal government leased much of the province's operations to CN Rail. Weiler said that the time was ripe for passenger rail in the area, given the existing infrastructure and the growth in the Sea-to-Sky region. "That would have a huge impact — whether that's people commuting, tourists being able to visit, and otherwise," he told Amy Bell, guest host of CBC's On The Coast. "And with this news of CN deciding that they want to discontinue the operations, it gives a year for people to come forward with ideas on how to do that." Weiler noted that adding more transit to the Sea-to-Sky corridor was part of a list of priorities when the governing B.C. NDP and the B.C. Greens signed a co-operation agreement last December. "The region's been studied to death about what exactly needs to be done," the Liberal MP said. "We just really need to see some action right now." A spokesperson for B.C.'s Transportation Ministry said it would review CN's decision before considering its options. Long-haul service could be in jeopardy One passenger rail service already exists in the Sea-to-Sky area, but not on a commuter route. The Rocky Mountaineer operates a luxury long-haul rail service called the Rainforest to Gold Rush route from North Vancouver to Whistler and further on to Quesnel, B.C., and then Jasper, Alta. A spokesperson for the company said it was aware of CN's decision to eventually discontinue its operations in the Sea-to-Sky region. "CN is responsible for maintaining the rail infrastructure along this route, including the rail, ties, bridges, and vegetation control," they wrote. "Without CN's management of the rail line, we would be unable to travel on the route." The spokesperson added that the company was reviewing its long-term options along the route, but the 2026 season of the long-haul train service would proceed as planned. Mayors want conversations to happen Jack Crompton, the mayor of Whistler, said that the loss of the Rocky Mountaineer would constitute a loss of a "tremendous tourism partner" for the resort municipality. He said, however, that CN's decision to pull out of the corridor represented a big opportunity for the Sea-to-Sky region and that Whistler was paying close attention to what would happen next. "Recreation is important, but for us, commuting and ground transportation is number one as it relates to this decision," he said. Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford noted that the district has a major history of railway travel, with the Railway Museum of B.C. located there. He said that it was important to ensure continued rail access to Squamish's port, which served as a critical route to transport cargo during the 2021 floods in southwest B.C. "I think it's really important that we maintain operational status there, because this line does run through some incredibly challenging terrain," he said. "And if the maintenance drops off, I think the fear is that it just will become cost prohibitive to reinitiate the service." WATCH | CN Rail looks to pull out of B.C. region: CN Rail to end operations from Squamish to 100 Mile House, B.C. 8 hours ago A major railway has announced plans to end part of its operations by discontinuing its route north from Squamish till 100 Mile House. As CBC's Amelia John reports, there are now questions and concerns about the future of the tracks in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
Deadly head-on crash on Highway 99 kills 21-year-old Elk Grove man, several injured
( — An Elk Grove man is dead and several others are injured after a head-on crash on Highway 99 Monday morning. Around 2:12 a.m., the California Highway Patrol responded to reports of a car crash on Highway 99, south of Hammatt Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene, they determined it to be a three-vehicle head-on crash with one fatality. Crews recover submerged vehicle from Solano County boat launch CHP said a 21-year-old Elk Grove man was driving a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu sedan wrong-way northbound when he collided with a 41-year-old San Bernardino man who was driving a 2020 Toyota Camry sedan in the southbound lane at about 65 miles per hour. For unknown reasons, police said the drivers did not see each other until impact. The front of the Chevrolet collided with the right front of the Toyota. That impact caused the Chevrolet to veer to the left in the direction of a big rig that was traveling in a third lane, southbound. Murder investigation underway in Sacramento after assault victim dies The 26-year-old big rig driver was not able to safely stop the big rig to avoid the crash and the Chevrolet hit the truck's trailer, according to CHP. The driver of the Chevrolet was pronounced dead at the scene. All four occupants of the Chevrolet, ranging from 19 to 21 years of age, were transported to local hospitals for moderate to major injuries. CHP said the big rig driver and Toyota driver did not sustain any injuries and were not transported by medical personnel. Both drivers remained at the scene and were cooperative with the investigating officers. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. It is unclear if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Anyone who who witnessed the incident can call Officer Jaytrin Bounlangsly at 209-356-6600. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
30-06-2025
- CBS News
Lathrop Highway 99 offramp crash leaves street sweeper driver dead
A street sweeper driver has died after a crash on a Central California freeway offramp Monday morning. California Highway Patrol says, just before 8:30 a.m., a street sweeper was apparently taking the southbound Highway 99 offramp to Lathrop Road when it drove onto the shoulder. That's when the street sweeper crashed into a tractor-trailer that was stopped in the shoulder area, officers say. The impact of the crash rotated the street sweeper back into traffic. CHP noted that the street sweeper driver wasn't wearing a seatbelt and suffered critical injuries in the crash. Officers say the street sweeper driver later died from his injuries at San Joaquin County General Hospital. No other injuries were reported. Authorities have not yet released any further details about the street sweeper driver, including what company he worked for.
CBS News
27-06-2025
- CBS News
Crash south of Live Oak on Highway 99 leaves 1 dead
A semi-truck and another vehicle collided at Highway 99 south of Live Oak early Friday morning, leaving one person dead. Yuba-Sutter California Highway Patrol closed the highway in both directions at Paseo Road at around 4:30 a.m. They redirected southbound traffic to Larkin Road and northbound to McDonald Avenue. Authorities have not given any further details about the drivers or the vehicles involved. According to officials, the crash has been investigated, and the roads have been cleared. All lanes of Highway 99 are now open.
CBS News
21-06-2025
- CBS News
Driver in Lodi dies in crash while trying to evade police
A 19-year-old in Lodi died Friday night after crashing during a chase with officers, Lodi Police said. Around 11:15 p.m., an officer spotted someone driving recklessly near South Cherokee Lane and East Vine Street, police said. Police said the officer tried to pull him over, but the driver instead led the officer on a chase. The driver soon crashed as they got onto the southbound Highway 99 onramp at Cherokee Lane and Century Boulevard, according to police. The vehicle then rolled over and came to a rest on its roof. Police said there were two people in the vehicle. A passenger was able to get out of the vehicle, and they were taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. However, the 19-year-old driver died at the scene, police said. Because the driver died during a chase with police, an investigation by various agencies is being conducted. "In accordance with the San Joaquin County Officer Incident Protocol, the investigation is being conducted by members of the Lodi Police Department, San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, DOJ, and the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner's Office," Lodi Police said. The crash is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.
