Contractors, shippers, politicians, executives, bureaucrats and many interested people gathered at the Ashcroft Terminal on May 21 to watch the ribbon cutting that signified the completion of a $7 million expansion project that added 1,500 metres of railroad track with switches at either end which will allow CP and CN to leave their cars behind to be loaded or unloaded.
Ashcroft Mayor Andy Anderson was part of the ribbon-cutting crew. He has been an active supporter and promoter of the terminal for the past six years, introducing owner Bob Landucci to politicians who might be able to help.
He told his Council at their meeting this week that he talked to a trucker he knew at the ribbon cutting ceremony, who said he was going to start bringing his loads to the terminal for loading, and he was planning to persuade others to give the terminal business as well.
“I think economic development is well under way in Ashcroft,” he said.
Coun. Jerry Fiddick added that he was talking to a Williams Lake contractor at the ceremony who got a contract with Trimac because of the terminal. He was impressed at how far reaching the employment effects.
This joint investment of $7.15 million from the Government of Canada and Ashcroft Terminal will provide lasting economic improvements throughout the region. The federal government contributed over $3.57 million from the Mountain Pine Beetle Program within the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund (APGCTIF), while Ashcroft Terminal provided matching funds.
Construction of the Ashcroft Terminal expansion project began in February 2013 with the promise of up to $5 million in federal grants that would be matched by AT owners and partners. Owner Bob Landucci said they couldn’t finish everything they wanted to and still meet the grant’s deadline, so they did what they could. He said there is still a lot left to do, including looping the tracks around the property, which is located near the end of Evans Rd.