Following the opening of its new C$14m ($13.4m) automotive compound in Toronto last September, Canada National Railway (CN) has announced plans to build a C$100m logistics park near Calgary, in Alberta province, that will include an automotive compound.
The company expects to open the facility – CN Calgary Logistics Park – in 2013 (subject to regulatory approval) when it plans to shift most of its Calgary yard operations to the new logistics centre. The new freight-handling development will be located in Conrich, northeast of the city.
Calgary is Canada’s third-largest distribution centre and, as well as the automotive compound, the 275-hectare CN park will include a state-of-the-art intermodal terminal, a multi-commodity transload and warehouse facility, and a liquid/bulk transload and distribution facility.
“This facility is part of our programme to grow a network of logistics parks that provide seamless and efficient transportation and distribution capabilities for customers, linking their facilities across North America,” said CN president and CEO Claude Mongeau in a prepared statement.
A company spokesperson said that due to the ongoing federal regulatory process it was premature to speak about the specific aspects of the automotive compound but the shift of operations from the existing facility in Calgary would include traffic for a number of vehicle manufacturers.
“This includes traffic destined to auto dealers located in Calgary and the Southern Alberta market, shipped from North American assembly plants and imported from Asia and Europe,” she told Automotive Logistics News.
CN has rail access to all vehicle assembly plants in Canada, numerous assembly plants in Michigan and one in Mississippi. It also has access to parts production facilities in Michigan and Ontario. It serves shippers of import vehicles via the ports of Halifax and Vancouver, and through interchange with other railroads.
