Canada to help fund rail infrastructure improvements in Alberta

The Canadian government will invest CA$5 million toward a project aimed at increasing access to CN and Canadian Pacific rail networks in the province of Alberta, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau announced yesterday.

The project calls for adding 460 rail-car storage spots and more than 40,000 feet of new track, including a new connection to CP's Willingdon Subdivision, at the Alberta Midland Railway Terminal. The project will enable the railway to handle unit trains up to 8,500 feet in length for either CN or CP shippers, Transport Canada officials said in a press release.

The improvements also will improve fluidity and reduce bottlenecks along western Canadian rail networks, they said.

"Our government is investing in Canada's economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors," said Garneau. "We are supporting projects which help move goods efficiently to market, and people to their destinations; stimulate our economy during the pandemic; create good quality middle-class jobs; and ensure Canada's transportation networks remain competitive and efficient."