With Canada’s supply chain still feeling the impacts of the pandemic, the Government of Canada announced $18.3 million in funding for four new projects.
The projects are under the National Trade Corridors Fund, which will help to improve the efficiency of rail networks in Regina and southern Saskatchewan.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra said that projects aim to keep our supply chains moving, keep trade with our partners competitive and relieve the pressure causing inflation.
The challenges of the last few years have affected every part of the Canadian supply chain. We know that when it comes to our economy, Canadians are worried about affordability and rising inflation,” he said. “I want Canadian families to know that their Government is working to ease pressure on our supply chain, and I want them to be confident that the essential goods they need will be there on time.”
$1 million will be to develop a preliminary design to relocate railroad crossings in Regina. The City of Regina contributes the remaining amount for a total investment of $2.4 million.
“This will support the preliminary design for the relocation of railroad crossings in Regina. The relocation will aim to reduce congestion between the rail and road networks and improve traffic movement and efficiency through the City,” said Alghabra.
$13.5 million will be put towards a railway grade stabilization project, where extensive railway work will be undertaken on the Canadian Pacific Rail Interchange near Eston. Last Mountain Railway will contribute an equal amount for a total investment of $27 million.
“Will see improvements to 50 kilometres of Railtrack near Eston. It will also support building two-grain handling and storage facilities to allow for more capacity and ease bottlenecks at other grain collection points,” said Alghabra. “This means grain producers can get their project to Canadians and consumers around the world more easily.”
$1.6 million for a new pre-interchange yard on the Canadian Pacific Railway Interchange near the Town of Assiniboia will increase operating interchange capacity, allowing increased traffic flow and improved fluidity. Great Western Railway will contribute an equal amount for a total investment of $3.2 million.
“(This) will support the construction of 12,00 feet of new track at the local pre-interchange yard. With the addition of this new track, traffic capacity will increase by more than 50 per cent, helping improve the flow of the area freight system,” Alghabra said.
$2.2 million to build 12,000 feet of additional track to address congestion issues at the Stewart Southern Railway and Canadian Pacific interchange in Lajord. Purely Canada Foods will contribute the remaining funding toward the project for a total investment of over $6.5 million.
“(This) will help increase the rail efficiency in Lajord,” Alghabra said. “It will include the construction of another 12,000 feet of additional track; this will mean efficient trains and an overall improvement to southern Saskatchewan’s transportation system.”
