CN Rail said it plans to invest approximately $130 million in Manitoba in 2018 to strengthen the Company’s rail network across the province, including expansion of its primary rail yard in Winnipeg.
“We are investing for the long haul,” said Doug Ryhorchuk, vice-president of CN’s Western Region. “Our project at Symington Yard in Winnipeg, combined with track investments across the Prairies, and new equipment and more people, will help us deliver superior service to our grain and other customers throughout Manitoba and North America. Additionally, our substantial investments to renew our existing railway infrastructure underscores our commitment to operating safely.”
The Manitoba investments are part of CN’s record $3.4 billion capital program for 2018. In Winnipeg, CN will add a dozen new and extended tracks within its Symington Yard. Other capital program investments will focus on the replacement, upgrade and maintenance of key track infrastructure to improve overall safety and efficiency.
Maintenance program highlights include:
- Replacement of approximately 30 miles of rail
- Installation of more than 80,000 new railroad ties
- Rebuilds of approximately 20 road crossing surfaces
- Maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems and other track infrastructure
In May, CN announced that it plans to acquire 1,000 Canadian built, new generation, high-cube grain hopper cars over the next two years to rejuvenate the aging equipment needed to serve increasing annual crop yields. This month, CN is taking delivery of the first of 60 new GE locomotives due in service in 2018. The balance of a multi-year, 200-unit order will be brought online in 2019 and 2020.
Source : Steinbachonline