Canadian government to invest in new Alberta rail yard

Transport Canada officials yesterday announced the Canadian government will invest CA$15 million in a rail project aimed at reducing bottlenecks on the western Canadian rail network.

The project calls for the construction of a 1,930 rail-car storage yard in Sturgeon County, Alberta, northeast of Edmonton. Major project components include a large loop track, 32 parallel storage tracks capable of accommodating rail-car storage and assembly of trains, and a connection to the CN Rock Yard's rail siding, Transport Canada officials said in a press release.

The project will help lower costs and increase the volume of products available for export from the Alberta Industrial Heartland region, they said.

"Our government is investing in Canada's economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors," said Minister of Transport Marc Garneau. "We are supporting projects to efficiently move goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada's transportation networks remain competitive and efficient."