This investment in rail infrastructure represents a major step toward modernizing Canada’s supply chain systems. By relieving congestion at ports, building inland hubs, and digitizing rail operations, they will contribute to more efficient trade routes and support local businesses.
The Government of Canada has announced more than $33 million in funding, through the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF), to improve rail infrastructure across Alberta and British Columbia.
Supporting Canada’s ongoing efforts to boost economic growth, the investment will support six projects designed to ease bottlenecks, expand trade capacity, and modernize the country’s transportation systems.
The projects aim to expand key trade corridors to provide businesses with reduced shipping costs, increased export opportunities, and a more agile supply chain by upgrading rail facilities, inland ports, and digital tracking technologies.
During her announcement of these six projects, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, said that the investment in rail infrastructure will make life more affordable for Canadians.
“These projects will reinforce our supply chains and ensure that goods move more efficiently across the country. By improving rail connectivity, we’re not just strengthening internal trade, we’re also driving economic growth and resilience that will benefit every single Canadian,” Anand said.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, also highlighted the importance of these rail capacity upgrades.
“At a time when Canadians are increasingly focused on the need to expand internal trade and to diversify Canadian exports, a key area of focus must be the debottlenecking of railways and ports,” he said.
“The investments being announced today for six projects across British Columbia and Alberta will boost economic productivity and create good jobs, including right here on the North Shore,” Wilkinson added.
The NTCF is a competitive, merit-based program that helps infrastructure owners and users invest in transportation assets that directly support economic activity in Canada.
Since 2017, $4.1 billion has been invested in projects to improve roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes that support domestic and international trade.
The federal government is expected to continue expanding the NTCF to support additional projects that improve port, rail, and road networks.
The rail infrastructure upgrades include the following:
A significant share of the investment, $10 million, will go to Canadian National Railway (CN) for the Jaleslie Siding Extension project, which will improve transportation through the corridor between Kamloops and the Port of Vancouver.
The project will add an additional option on the single-track route to enable longer trains to pass through the corridor. This will help improve the reliability and fluidity of both freight and passenger services to and from the Port of Vancouver.
In Terrace, British Columbia, the federal government is investing $6.2 million in the NSD Inland Port project, led by NSD Development Corporation.
The new inland port will serve as a shipping hub to make it easier for businesses in Northwestern BC to transport goods to and from the province.
The project includes building rail and road access and transloading facilities for liquid and dry bulk commodities, as well as improving intermodal connectivity and transportation fluidity.
In Forestburg, Alberta, Battle River Railway NGC Inc. will receive $5.7 million for the Battle River Railway Upgrade project, which involves building 15,000 feet of new track and upgrading three bridges to Class 1 standards.
These enhancements will optimize railway line efficiency, minimize bottlenecks, and enhance first-mile fluidity.
At the North Vancouver Terminal, Richardson International Ltd. will receive $5 million to expand the North Shore Railyard by adding 15 new storage tracks, realigning tracks, and introducing crossovers and turnouts. Additionally, the project includes adding new lighting, fencing, and utilities.
These initiatives will help improve transportation efficiency, strengthen intermodal connectivity, and support regional trade.
The projects don’t just focus on improving physical tracks. They also support smarter logistics. That’s why Quasar Platform Inc. will receive $3.5 million to create a digital platform that tracks railcars and freight in real-time.
The project includes installing 10,000 GPS sensors on railcars to monitor their movements and create a nationwide rail performance dataset.
This will provide businesses with improved visibility of shipments and their movement across tracks.
IntermodeX Logistics Ltd. will receive $2.7 million to build a new container yard and establish a transloading facility at the Port of Prince Rupert as part of the Ridley North Off-Dock and Transloading Expansion project.
The upgrades will include an off-dock container storage to improve transloading services and minimize container congestion.
These six planned projects are positioned to help strengthen Canada’s economic resilience and promote sustainable, long-term growth.
They will also help Canada’s logistics network adapt to future demands while promoting a dynamic and competitive economy.
If you transport goods across Canada, please reach out to one of our trade professionals to discuss how these new projects will impact your business.