CN submits Environmental Impact Statement for proposed Milton Logistics Hub

Canadian National has submitted a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) for its proposed logistics hub to be built in Milton, Ontario.

The EIS describes measures the company plans to adopt to lessen the project’s environmental impact on the community, which include a 1.7-kilometer private road to be constructed on CN property to avoid truck queuing on public roads; a new underpass to be constructed for lower base line to minimize the impact on commuters traveling in east and west directions past the hub; raised earthen berms topped off with native Ontario vegetation and trees to reduce the effects of noise and blend into the natural environment of the area; enhancements to be made to the natural habitat of Indian Creek and environmentally-advanced technology and design in the hub, including solar panels, rainwater capture, natural and LED lighting.

The proposed CA$250-million (US$177 million) investment is expected to have significant economic benefits, which include help CN meet the critical transportation infrastructure needs of a growing Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area; create more inland freight capacity to better connect domestic and global supply chains linking the West and East coasts in Canada and facilitate logistics development and job creation in Milton and the Halton Region.

The EIS stated that terminal-generated traffic on neighboring roads will increase less than three percent of predicted volumes during peak hours. CN says it will continue to work with the municipalities to inform their on-going traffic planning efforts. The EIS also concluded that there would be no significant adverse residual environmental effects during all phases of the project.