CSX begins construction on Quebec intermodal facility

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

CSX and its transportation and intermodal terminals subsidiaries broke ground on a new intermodal terminal in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QB, Canada, on June 3; the terminal is expected to open in 2015.

The $107-million project will expand CSX’s presence in the market and connect the greater Montreal region and Quebec with CSX’s 21,000-mile rail network in the United States.

CSX Intermodal Terminals Inc. president Wilby Whitt joined Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Mayor Denis Lapointe and other invited guests to turn the ceremonial shovel of dirt at the site of the 89-acre future terminal.

The new terminal will enable shippers in the region to capitalize on the economic and environmental benefits of intermodal rail, expand on the north-south trade opportunities offered by North American Free Trade Agreement and connect to new markets.

When fully operational, the terminal is expected to handle up to 100,000 containers per year, using modern rubber-tire gantry cranes to transfer containers between trains and trucks.

“We believe the intermodal terminal we are building here will quickly become a positive asset for Quebec and the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield community for years to come,” said Whitt.

Trains serving the terminal will connect through CSX’s Northwest Ohio intermodal hub, offering access to markets across the United States.

Roxboro Excavating Inc., based in Dorval, QB, is the lead contractor on the project. The work is expected to create about 600 jobs as it proceeds and the terminal is expected to lead to the creation of more than 300 permanent jobs.

Located in the Perron Industrial Park, the terminal will be close to the newly-completed Autoroute 30, providing easy market access to the greater Montreal distribution and consumption market. As part of the project, the province of Quebec and Salaberry-de-Valleyfield are making improvements to the road network in the immediate vicinity of the terminal.

The Quebec Ministry of Transportation is also supporting the project through a $6 million grant for the reduction of greenhouse emissions.

CSX is also relocating a portion of its track from a residential area of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield to a location east of Autoroute 530 along side the new terminal in the industrial park. Once the track is relocated, the right-of-way will be sold to the city of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield for recreational use.

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