CN invests more than $245 million into Saskatchewan’s rail infrastructure

Canadian National Railway (CN) has announced an investment of more than $245 million in Saskatchewan in 2019; expanding and strengthening the rail network across the province.

“Following a record capital programme in 2018, CN brought on 25 per cent more qualified train conductors in Western Canada and added over 10 per cent more active high horse power locomotives to its network. In 2019, CN is investing $35 million more than the previous year to bring greater capacity to CN’s mainline to benefit all commodities,” said Doug Ryhorchuk, Vice-President of CN’s Western Region.

The Saskatchewan investments are part of CN’s 2019 record $3.9 billion capital investment, which is focused on enabling growth from all commodity segments, including consumer goods, grain, agricultural, forest and energy products, safely and efficiently. Over two years, CN will have made a $7.4 billion capital investment.

“Whenever one company invests a quarter billion dollars into Saskatchewan, that’s great news. The fact that this investment by CN will help get our key export products to market faster makes the benefit even greater. This investment continues to demonstrate CN’s commitment to our province and their customers who do business here,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

CN is currently deploying important safety enhancing technologies across its network, such as autonomous track inspection programme, distributed air cars, and automated inspection portals. These innovations, combined with CN’s investments in locomotives, capacity, infrastructure, and train crews, will support the safe and efficient movement of our customers’ goods to their end markets.

“The Regina & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased that CN will continue to invest in Saskatchewan thereby ensuring that Saskatchewan goods and products continue to have access to an ever increasing global market. Access to markets, particularly international, are vital to Saskatchewan’s economy,” said John Hopkins, Chief Executive Office of the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce.

Planned expansion projects include the construction of about 10 miles of double track between near Atwater, east of Melville; the construction of about 10 miles of double track near Fenwood, west of Melville; the construction of about eight miles of double track near Biggar, west of Saskatoon; and the construction of about seven miles of double track near Clavet, southeast of Saskatoon.            

“Rail links are very important to Saskatchewan business. Connections to diverse markets are essential for our businesses to prosper and grow,” said Darla Lindbjerg, CEO of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce. “CN’s commitment to our city and the province is commendable. Over 500 employees are based out of Saskatoon and the company continues to make important investments such as this in Saskatchewan year over year. CN is a very important driver for our local and provincial economy.”

The maintenance programme include replacing approximately 66 miles of rail; installing approximately 260,000 new railroad ties; rebuilding 21 road crossing surfaces; and work on culverts, signal systems and additional track infrastructure.