CN targets more than $184 million in capex for Saskatchewan

Written by Staff and newswire report
Canadian National
Canadian National

Canadian National plans to spend more than $184 million (C$245 million) on construction projects this year in the province of Saskatchewan, as the Class 1 railroad looks to improve efficiency on the mainline.The investments are part of previously announced capex plans by the Class 1. The railroad has promised to spend a record 2.94 billion (C$3.9 billion) in its capital spending program this year. But only $1.2 billion (C$1.6 billion) is targeted toward track and railway infrastructure maintenance — the same as was spent in 2018.

The plans for Saskatchewan, which were announced in a press release after the market closed yesterday, include a total of 35 miles of double-track construction, including

  • 10 miles of double track between near Atwater, east of Melville;
  • 10 miles of double track near Fenwood, west of Melville;
  •  8 miles of double track near Biggar, west of Saskatoon; and
  • 7 miles of double track near Clavet, southeast of Saskatoon

The railroad had earlier announced total double-track construction for the year of 80 miles.

Maintenance program highlights include:

  • Replacement of approximately 66 miles of rail
  • Installation of approximately 260,000 new railroad ties
  • Rebuilds of 21 road crossing surfaces
  • Other maintenance work on culverts, signal systems, and additional track infrastructure

Last week CN President and CEO Jean-Jacques “JJ” Ruest accepted Railway Age’s 56th Railroader of the Year Award at the Union League Club of Chicago on March 12.

Canadian National, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, is the largest railroad in Canada. It connects both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and runs from Chicago to New Orleans along track acquired in 1998 when the company purchased the former Illinois Central.

Tags: , , ,

Media