A Thank You Letter to CN for their Continued Support

Thank you to Canadian National Railway (CN) and specifically Al, Tiffany and Janet for your generous support of our trail.

When I look back at some of the historic pictures that were taken during the original construction of the rail bed in the early 1900’s, I am quite certain that none of the engineers, surveyors and contractors ever imagined that 100 years later their hard work building a railway through this challenging terrain with many water course crossings would become one of the most precious community assets that we have today. With your gift this year, you have continued this CN legacy!

The timing of your funding could not have been better. From 2015 to 2018, we recapitalized the trail, resurfacing 32.5km of trail, improving the drainage, and re-decking 8 of the 9 timber deck bridges on our trail. At that time, the Ingram River Bridge deck still had a few years of life in it. By 2019, the deck began to deteriorate. Its replacement was our number one priority in 2020.

The generosity of your grant is very much appreciated. On a crusher dust trail, in this climate the work to keep the trail in great condition is always ongoing. The funds remaining after the bridge deck project were used to upgrade the trail surface and improve chronic drainage issues.

From Left to Right: Jacqui Tupper (on horseback), Sue Douglas & Denise Hicks (Co-Chairs SMBARTA), Al Abraham (CN Stronger Communities Fund) and Rick Muzyk (Vice-Chair SMBARTA)
From Left to Right: Jacqui Tupper (on horseback), Sue Douglas & Denise Hicks (Co-Chairs SMBARTA), Al Abraham (CN Stronger Communities Fund) and Rick Muzyk (Vice-Chair SMBARTA)

The number of trail users has increased dramatically during COVID19. Many users have discovered the trail and its natural beauty for the first time.

On behalf of the trail users from our immediate community and the ones that come from a distance to enjoy it, the local merchants who depend on the trail users for some of their livelihood, our Rum Runners Group and the 5 partner trails that promote cycling tourism in Nova Scotia, the organizers of fund raising events (this year the Ride for Cancer we had 800 cyclists on our trail – a total of $1.3M was raised for breast cancer), the schools and day cares who use our trail for activities and the local sporting and wellness organizations, we thank CN for their generosity.

Janet MacMillan (CN Community Fund Board  member), Al Abraham (CN Stronger Communities Fund) and Tiffany Edwards (CN Community Fund) presenting a cheque to the Trail Association
Janet MacMillan (CN Community Fund Board member), Al Abraham (CN Stronger Communities Fund) and Tiffany Edwards (CN Community Fund) presenting a cheque to the Trail Association
The newly re-decked Ingram River bridge looks great thanks to funds provided by CN.
The newly re-decked Ingram River bridge looks great thanks to funds provided by CN.