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Rail: a gift to the future

Dear Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

The Free Press reports that extra lanes will be added to Hwy 8 to address the dangerous highway.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/01/22/incredibly-dangerous-highway-8-to-gimli-to-get-passing-lanes



The thing is, if you have cars, you have danger. Especially on the open prairie where folks can't help but speed through the windswept openness. 

Here's a better idea -- both given the climate crisis and growing income inequality: Instead of widening the highway, bring back the train. Give folks an alternative to driving. The road will remain of course and will serve the folks travelling from points in between But a significant amount of Winnipeg to Gimli traffic is doing exactly that. The train would take a huge traffic burden off the road and would provide a way to the beach for those who for whatever reason -- whether affordability or climate principle or medical restriction on driving or even age (i.e. under 16) -- don't have a car.

Any time I have ever heard the train to Gimli mentioned, everyone sighs collectively and says they wish it were still running.

Only political will stands in the way of reviving the train.

Expanded highways are just a millstone around the necks for future generations who have to pay for it but trains are a gift to both the citizens of today and the future.

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