I suspect the railway is viewed as necessary given assumed hopes of the port opening again, as well as providing tourists through VIA Rail.
While a gravel road would solve the getting supplies in I doubt it would be attractive to tourists, thus leaving small planes as the only alternative.
There is no easy answer.
From a government perspective, having paid almost $20 million to maintain the line for the last 10 years the prospect of paying another $40+ million to return the line to service with the risk that it could be wiped out again at any time doesn't look so attractive.
While a gravel road would solve the getting supplies in I doubt it would be attractive to tourists, thus leaving small planes as the only alternative.
There is no easy answer.
From a government perspective, having paid almost $20 million to maintain the line for the last 10 years the prospect of paying another $40+ million to return the line to service with the risk that it could be wiped out again at any time doesn't look so attractive.