WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — The Canadian National Railway (CN) plans to invest approximately C$120 million in Manitoba in 2019 to strengthen the company’s rail network across the province.
“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,” said Doug Ryhorchuk, vice-president of CN’s Western region. “This year, we are continuing to invest to boost capacity and network resiliency and to meet growing traffic on our corridors across the province.”
The Manitoba investments are part of CN’s 2019 record C$3.9 billion capital investment focused on enabling growth from all commodity segments, including consumer goods, grain, agricultural, forest, and energy products. Over two years, CN will have made a C$7.4 billion capital investment.
“Rail is a fundamental link for farmers and producers on the Prairies,” said Dan Vandal, member of parliament for Saint Boniface — Saint Vital and parliamentary secretary to the minister of indigenous services. “Investments such as these by CN are critical to ensuring that our Prairie products reach their markets, both nationally and internationally.”
CN is currently deploying safety technologies across its network, such as Autonomous Track Inspection Program, Distributed Air Cars, and Automated Inspection Portals. CN noted these implementations combined with its investments in locomotives, capacity, infrastructure, and train crews, will support the safe and efficient movement for customers’ goods to their end markets.
“CN employs more than 2,200 Manitobans and has made significant investments in Manitoba on infrastructure improvements and maintenance over the past five years,” said Chuck Davidson, president and chief executive officer of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “From the construction of a sophisticated national training center in Winnipeg to the Symington Yard expansion designed to enhance shipping capabilities, CN has demonstrated a strong commitment to our province, and to our future growth and prosperity.”
Planned expansion projects include:
- Construction of a new train passing siding near Nourse, east of Winnipeg; and,
- Construction of 6.3 miles of double track near Exira, west of Portage la Prairie.
Maintenance program highlights include:
- Replacement of more than 35 miles of rail;
- Installation of approximately 59,000 new railroad ties;
- Rebuilds of 13 road crossing surfaces; and,
- Maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems and other track infrastructure.
Manitoba is a hub of CN’s transcontinental rail network and home to facilities such as the Symington classification yard, the Transcona Shops, and CN’s Claude Mongeau National Training Centre.
