Canada announces millions in funding for rail projects in Saskatchewan, Manitoba

Transport Canada announced CA$18.3 million in funding for new rail infrastructure projects in the province of Saskatchewan and CA$4.4 million for Manitoba.

The Saskatchewan funding will be used to pay for projects designed to improve rail network efficiency in Regina and southern areas of the province, Transport Canada officials said in a press release. The money will be distributed through the  National Trade Corridors Fund, which will provide CA$4.6 billion over 11 years to help infrastructure owners and users invest in critical transportation assets.

A breakdown of the funding includes:

• CA$1 million to develop a preliminary design to relocate grade crossings in Regina;
• CA$13.5 million for a railway grade stabilization project at the Canadian Pacific rail interchange near Eston;
• CA$1.6 million for a new pre-interchange yard near Assiniboia, which will increase operating interchange capacity; and
• CA$2.2 million to build 12,000 feet of additional track to address congestion issues at the interchange between Stewart Southern Railway Inc. and CP in Lajord.

The funding in Manitoba will pay for a study to understand the current and future conditions of permafrost along the Hudson Bay Railway corridor, which moves cargo and people in Churchill, Transport Canada officials said. These funds are also issued under the National Trade Corridors Fund.

The University of Calgary will conduct the study, which will also identify potential mitigation strategies and tools related to permafrost hazards.

The government will provide an additional CA$700,000 to fund 10 projects in the province under the Rail Safety Improvement Program.

"Canada's rail network is crucial to our supply chain. Through the National Trade Corridors Fund and Rail Safety Improvement Program funding, we are addressing the impacts of climate change and improving the safety and resiliency of Manitoba's rail network, thereby strengthening Canada's trade corridors," said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.