As a means of expanding and strengthening the area’s rail network, CN intends to invest $120 million into Manitoba in 2019.
The investment is part of a larger investment from CN throughout the year, which is expected to reach $7.4 billion over two years. They are leaving no commodity segment untouched, looking to bolster consumer goods, grain, agricultural, forest, and energy products from their customers.
“Following a record capital program in 2018, CN has been able to take on more traffic from different commodity sectors based on contracts with our customers,” Doug Ryhorchuk, vice-president of CN’s western region, said. “This year, we are continuing to invest to boost capacity and network resiliency and to meet growing traffic on our corridors across the Province.”
Planned expansions include construction of a new train passing siding on the east of Winnipeg, as well as 6.3 miles of double track west of Portage la Prairie. Additionally, they will work to replace more than 35 miles of rail, install around 59,000 new railroad ties, rebuild 13 road crossing surfaces and maintain work on bridges, culverts, signal systems, and other track infrastructure.
“CN employs over than 2,200 Manitobans and has made significant investments in Manitoba on infrastructure improvements and maintenance over the past five years,” Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, said. “From the construction of a sophisticated national training centre in Winnipeg to the Symington Yard expansion designed to enhance shipping capabilities, CN has demonstrated a strong commitment to our province, and Manitoba is a major hub of CN’s transcontinental rail network and home to key facilities such as the Symington classification yard, the Transcona Shops, and CN’s Claude Mongeau National Training Centre.”
Such efforts go hand in hand with other investments CN is making, including an Autonomous Track Inspection Program, Distributed Air Cars and Automated Inspection Portals.