CANADA: The government has announced C$12·4m of funding for two projects designed to enhance rail freight capacity, reduce bottlenecks and increase competition by offering shippers access to two railways.
The first project covers track upgrades on the Great Sandhills Railway short line which runs from Burstall, Saskatchewan, to the Canadian Pacific main line outside Swift Current. This is intended to help customers move export goods to ports more efficiently, and accommodate future growth. Services are expected to increase from twice per week to daily.
The second project will reduce congestion on Canadian National and Canadian Pacific lines between Saskatoon and Edmonton. It includes the construction of three loops as well as a repair shop at North West Terminal outside Unity, Saskatchewan.
‘These improvements will increase transportation options for the community, help businesses get more products to market, and create quality jobs’, said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness, when the funding was announced on August 9.
