These lines, CN said, “are handling rising volumes of industrial products, natural resources and energy-related commodities. Major investments in Western Canada are designed to increase the capacity and safety of our rail infrastructure and to allow the company to continue to grow at low incremental cost in support of Canada’s trade. We continue to see rising freight volumes in Western Canada, which have increased by more than 50% in the past five years. Given this growth, we’ve also invested significantly in our Edmonton-Winnipeg main line corridor, installing sections of double track, extending sidings to accommodate longer more efficient trains, and improving major classification yards.”
In 2015, CN will allocate approximately C$100 million for work on northern Alberta branch lines, investing in infrastructure upgrades and safety improvements, including heavier rail, crushed rock ballast and new ties, “to ensure the network can efficiently accommodate future freight volume growth in the Peace River region.”
“CN is building for the future with large capital investments in long-term safety and capacity improvements to ensure we continue to play our role as a true backbone of the economy, said President and CEO Claude Mongeau. “We see significant long-term potential in our customer base located on our Western Canada feeder network. We want to provide our customers with the capacity for continued efficient freight transportation services that increase their competitiveness in North American and global markets, as well as ensure our rail infrastructure is as safe as possible. CN believes that commercial principles and a stable regulatory environment are essential to support rail infrastructure investment and maintain Canada’s safe, efficient and well-functioning rail transportation marketplace in the future.”