Metropolitan Knowledge International (Bob Lehman)
Potential Uses of Abandoned Rail Corridors for Regional Rail Purposes

The study examines the importance of conserving existing rail corridors for future possible use in regional rail systems. Increased traffic congestion will become a major concern over the next twenty years. The paper explains how the value of existing rail corridors will increase because of future growth in urban centres and the ensuing lack of transportation capacity. It would cost an estimated $3.6 billion to acquire land similar to existing corridors in the six major Canadian cities studied. The study concludes that urban congestion is a national problem, requiring federal action. The main recommendation is to preserve urban corridors with a program similar to the U.S. rail 
banking program.