The multimodal transportation project in Cochrane has the potential to impact not only the community, but the entire region itself. Cochrane’s Mayor Peter Politis says this project is an extension onto the current tracks that will allow new equipment to move cargo from the rail cars to trucks much easier. The addition would provide hauling services for Detour Gold, but could also be used to offload freights which come in from Southern Ontario and would then be shipped across the country.
The town has already secured $1.4-million in funding and Politis says they are looking to make Cochrane a hub for industry transportation services in the North. Rail service is important in Northern Ontario, not only for transporting goods, but also moving people. Politis says in our region we have almost 90 per cent of the provincial land mass and only about six per cent of the population.
The project has already created several jobs in the community and with a commitment from the ONR in respect to maintenance; it has the potential to create many more. Politis says up to 100,000 trucks move through the community every year making Cochrane a strategic rail location in Northern Ontario.
This town is partnering up with Detour Gold, the province and ONR on this project which should be completed by next year.
