LOCAL LIBERALS have been successful in getting their party's endorsement on a call to build a railway paralleling Hwy37 North.
Glenn Martin, a member of the provincial Liberal party's Skeena constituency association who introduced the railway resolution at a policy session during the party's recent convention in Penticton, described it as a big step for the region.
“They've accepted it. I'm pretty happy,” said Martin after the resolution was adopted.
The resolution calls upon the provincial government to undertake a feasibility study to build the rail line.
A rail line not only makes sense as a way to encourage mineral development in the area but it would be environmentally responsible as it would reduce truck traffic along northern roads, said Martin.
“It's up to the government now to do a study,” he said.
Martin did add that one person did object, saying there had already been one attempt years ago to build a line into the area, the ill-fated Dease Lake extension to the BC Rail network.
But he said that person did not receive any support for his position.