The Island Rail Corridor is a 289 km long rail line on Vancouver Island, stretching between Victoria and Courtney, and passing through 13 municipalities, five regional districts, and several First Nations. Although it was once used for freight and commuter rail, passenger service ceased in 2011, leaving most of the line unused.
This unused rail line presents a significant opportunity, as the tracks and stations are still in place, and nearly 80% of Vancouver Island’s population lives within 10 km of the corridor. The future of these lands could involve a revamped commuter train service, transformation into trails for active transportation and tourism, or a combination of both.
However, there are several challenges:
Difficult Legacy: The land deal for the railway in 1871, which granted over 800,000 hectares to Robert Dunsmuir for financing the railway, did not recognize Indigenous land rights. Many First Nations are now seeking the return of parts of this corridor, making land claims a crucial aspect of reconciliation and future projects.
Damaged Tracks: Decades of neglect have left much of the tracks in disrepair, with estimated repair costs ranging from $300 million to $700 million.
Coordination: Any major project will require extensive coordination and funding from various levels of government, 13 municipalities, five regional districts, and several First Nations.
In 2024, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) commissioned a study to explore the future of the corridor. The study involved input from local First Nations and residents and evaluated three potential options:
Trails Only: Converting the railway into trails for hiking and active transportation, with an estimated cost of $55 million to $280 million for the CVRD’s portion, depending on soil remediation needs.
Rail Only: Repairing all tracks and reinstating commuter rail service between Victoria and Courtney, estimated to cost $910 million.
Trails and Rails: Repairing tracks, bringing back commuter rail, and building a trail alongside the tracks, with an estimated cost of just over $1 billion.
The study also highlighted technical considerations, such as the potential need for soil remediation due to pollutants from past rail activity and the importance of upzoning areas around stations for higher density to support the business case for a new commuter rail line.
The corridor represents a significant opportunity for Vancouver Island, especially with projected population growth. Conversations about its future aim to create a shared vision that benefits the entire island. https://www.facebook.com/jeff.mah.5/posts/pfbid02h6ssbWQmgoPTDvzLppm2hppWrv1KNaPktDyksQy3WhLUriK5o3wxMiVLqVst2MNAl?__cft__[0]=AZVT8SrnejJqaczbsmqk5QtsHLJrmdvirDAID_Z3zFG1n4xExXqLUFwp2zCg556V8MbCuQ-1xP0QdOHXCaHP7Xqw6Ie3fouIGWPtYHNNEBEZ6S9L9s64bNE88plWCNY65pLTGHTcvE6Nk7kbj2yjx8o5K3tJnsES7YGu-9tX1Wg57g&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R