Shanghai International Shipping Institute

THE Canadian National Railway Company (CN) is to invest a record CAD3.4 billion (US$2.579 billion) this year to upgrade its network.

Within this total, CN plans to invest CAD320 million across Alberta, CAD210 million throughout Quebec, CAD340 million across its network in British Columbia and CAD130 million in Manitoba.

The planned expansion projects in Alberta include the construction of 12 miles of double track west of Edmonton across Parkland county, seven miles of double track near Wainwright east of Edmonton, seven miles of double track near Tofield east of Edmonton and 11 miles of double track near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, reported American Shipper.

In addition to the construction of double track, the planned expansion projects across the province include installing a new bypass track at Walker yard in Edmonton, building new storage and bypass tracks at Scotford yard and building new track capacity at the railway's yard in Swan Landing.

The highlights of the Class I railway operator's maintenance programme across Alberta include replacing 130 miles of rail, installing 270,000 new railroad ties, rebuilds of 40 road crossing surfaces, as well as maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems and other track infrastructure.

CN's plans in Quebec include the installation of 40 miles of new rail, the installation of 155,000 rail ties, rebuilds of 35 road crossing surfaces, plus maintenance work on culverts, signal systems and other track infrastructure.

The company also said it plans to upgrade the automated gate system at its Montreal intermodal terminal in an effort to improve truck flow and make it easier for trucks to move in and out of the facility.

CEO JJ Ruest said in April that the railway had "turned the corner" after its first quarter net income declined by 16 per cent year on year to CAD741 million owing to the harsh winter impacting its earnings.