Atlantica

It isn't a very flattering picture of Atlantica. An area that the writers say"seems frozen in time and space, unaware of how seriously isolated and inefficient it’s becoming with its overburdened interstates, poorly maintained bridges and local roads, [and]shrunken and imperiled rail service". This article by the New England Futures Project appeared in newspapers throughout New England. Its list of transportation inadequacies is relevant to either side of the border that runs through Atlantica.

Consolidated Fastfrate is "moving on up" in Halifax. For years it has operated a shipping centre in the city, but now it plans to build a $10 million transload centre. The centre will provide the facility to unload and sort cargo for transportation across North America - a critical link in securing Halifax as the gateway to Atlantica and the lucrative US markets.

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell has embraced the Asian trade potential and is willing to put his money where his mouth is. The province is spending $3-billion on transportation upgrades to make sure it is ready for the increase in Asian traffic. It's another indication that time is running out for Atlantica to take advantage of the growth in Asian trade.

In his regular fortnightly column, AIMS president Brian Lee Crowley uses the spirit of the season to reflect on politics, politicians and our democracy.

The Port of Halifax is a key link in the Atlantica concept. This article in the December issue of Port of Halifax magazine provides evidence of the importance of marine trade to economic growth, and details how the Port of Halifax plans to utilize its natural assets to capture more of that trade.