The Alberta Government signs a memorandum of understanding to explore expanding economic corridors. From left to right: Don Dean (Oyen Regional Rail Corporation), Jodie Parmar (Canada Infrastructure Bank), Devin Dreeshen (minister of transportation and economic corridors) Nate Horner (minister of agriculture and irrigation), Doug Jones (Mayor of Oyen). Photo Courtesy Government of Alberta.

By Chris Brown

Study to look at restoring Oyen-based rail line

Mar 24, 2023 | 10:25 AM

OYEN, AB – A year-long feasibility study will explore restoring a shortline rail route in southeastern Alberta.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the Government of Alberta, Canada Infrastructure Bank, Special Areas and Oyen Development Corporation and Oyen Regional Rail Company to look at the rail line between Oyen and Lyalta

The 200-kilometre route from Oyen – about 200 km north of Medicine Hat – to Lyalta – about 30 km east of Calgary – hasn’t operated for close to a dozen years.

The province says shortline rail routes help get area agriculture, agri-foods, fertilizer and energy products to market by hooking into the main CP Rail line.

Oyen mayor Doug Jones says that is good for all of southern Alberta.

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“I think we’re all looking at where we gotta try and get stuff to port the quickest and shortest way to port and right now if you come to Oyen and it’s on rail you gotta go all the way back to Saskatoon before you can either go west or east you know to Vancouver or Prince Rupert,” he says. “So this would shorten us up certainly it would be a more direct route and I think that’s good for everybody.”

Jones adds the study will also look at other potential shortline routes and welcomes the opportunity for his community to be a part of the study.

The province and Canada Infrastructure Bank are each contributing $475,000. Special Areas and Oyen Development Corporation and Oyen Regional Rail Company are contributing $25,000 each.