The extention of the railroad from Northeastern BC, parrallel to the Alaska Highway has been bandied about for a number of years. This has again come to the attention of many as an alternative to an Enbridge pipeline and construction of a sea port by the Government of Canada which would cost Millions- if not Billions. Both of these are endlessly controversial to the Environment.
Alaskan legislators would certainly like to see the Rail line, and recently stepping up their campaign. They already have the Port Facility and the access to open water needed to accomodate huge tankers at Valdez.. The Oil from the North Slope is running out and the traffic is subsequently less. Heavy Oil could be shipped to both the US and China from there.
The First Nations and Metis are on board to give their approval to a rail line as being less invasive to the land than miles of pipeline and then the disturbance of Coastal Land to build a Sea Port; to say nothing of the dangers of navigating huge Tankers through a mirade of Islands to reach open water. The corridor to Alaska has been cut and open since the Second World war and has remained stable.
There is new, stronger steel for rails. The Trains themselves can be equipped to monitor the Tracks, through modern technology. Maintenence would have to be dilligent and considering the volumn and the money involved, safety could be acheived.
Alaskan legislators would certainly like to see the Rail line, and recently stepping up their campaign. They already have the Port Facility and the access to open water needed to accomodate huge tankers at Valdez.. The Oil from the North Slope is running out and the traffic is subsequently less. Heavy Oil could be shipped to both the US and China from there.
The First Nations and Metis are on board to give their approval to a rail line as being less invasive to the land than miles of pipeline and then the disturbance of Coastal Land to build a Sea Port; to say nothing of the dangers of navigating huge Tankers through a mirade of Islands to reach open water. The corridor to Alaska has been cut and open since the Second World war and has remained stable.
There is new, stronger steel for rails. The Trains themselves can be equipped to monitor the Tracks, through modern technology. Maintenence would have to be dilligent and considering the volumn and the money involved, safety could be acheived.