June 22, 2007
WHITEHORSE, Yukon - A study on the feasibility of constructing a direct rail link from Canada to Alaska says the 1,178-mile project would cost about $10.5 billion, Railway Track and Structures Magazine reported. The study looked at the rail link in a 50-year life cycle. The potential net revenues are projected at $7.8 billion, while the net public benefits are approximately $11.4 billion.
About $3.9 billion of the costs over the 50 years are expected to be for capital, operating, and maintenance, taking the full route cost of construction to approximately $7 billion. A market analysis is currently suggests there could be between 9 million to 50 million tons of coal and concentrate exports, container traffic, and ore exports moving along the line annually. The report says the total economic impacts for Alaska and Canada over the 50 years would be $170 billion of gross domestic product with approximately 25,000 new jobs created. The report suggests if the project moves forward it be conducted as a public-private partnership. An extensive engineering study is the next step.
Thought you might find this interesting.
