Ontario Construction News staff writer
Canadian National (CN) has announced plans to invest more than $350 million in Ontario this year, as part of a $3 billion capital plan across the country.
In Ontario, the investment will focus on technology, capacity, and infrastructure maintenance.
“Our consistent and proactive infrastructure investment strategy and the essential work of our employees and supply chain partners are what enable CN to keep the economy moving safely and smoothly year after year,” said Derek Taylor, the railroad’s vice-president, Eastern Region.
“Safety is a core value at CN and we will continue to invest in our track and in technology to support our overall network capacity and provide our customers with safe and reliable service.”
The overall investment plan reflects CN’s “determination to play an important role in the economic recovery and to be part of the climate solution”.
Creating a more fluid and efficient network will encourage the use of rail for long haul transportation and lead to reduced emissions.
“Our government salutes CN for its commitment to rail safety and the fluidity of its network while minimizing pollution,” said Omar Alghabra, minister of transport. “This announcement will help create good middle-class jobs and help move goods efficiently to market, and people to their destinations.”
Maintenance program highlights include:
- replacing 67 miles of rail
- installing approximately 176,000 new railroad ties
- rebuilding 85 road crossing surfaces
- maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems, and other track infrastructure
“CN’s continued investment into its rail infrastructure is good news for Ontario. Rail service is critical to many Ontario supply chains. CN is an important freight transportation company that moves goods needed by Ontarians,” said Caroline Mulroney, Ontario’s minister of transportation.
In Ontario capital investments topped $1.4 billion over the last five years. The system includes more than 2,500 miles of track.
On May 21, CN and Kansas City Southern (KCS) signed a definitive agreement to merge, creating “the premier railway for the 21st Century”, connecting ports in the United States, Mexico and Canada to expand North American trade and power economic prosperity.