A consulting group says it’s in discussions with The Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway regarding port development efforts in Sydney. The railway has previously stated that it intends to tear up an unprofitable portion of the line between Sydney to Point Tupper—something that local business owners say would be a major blow to port development. However, Harbor-Port Development Partners CEO Albert Barbusci tells the Coast that the railway is now willing to consider a possible future for the Cape Breton portion of the line if a workable port development plan is in place. Barbusci says that he and his organization are not asking for any money from the railway’s owner, Genosee and Wyoming. Instead, Harbor Port Development Partners wants the railway to stand down over time on its abandonment plans depending on the success of feasibility studies and negotiations between the port consultants and other strategic partners. In a press release earlier today, Harbour Port Development Partners says that its goals include the promotion of a container terminal in Sydney and the re-commencement of rail service from the terminal lands in the future. We’ll be following this story as it develops.
19 Nov2015