CN railroad unveils plan for new logistics park

02/05/2010

Canadian National Railway (CN) announced this week it plans to establish a new C$100-million CN Calgary Logistics Park in Conrich, Alberta, Canada, northeast of Calgary.

The 680-acre park is planned to include a state-of-the-art intermodal terminal with room for customers to co-locate with CN and custom build their facility in place. The Logistics Park design will include a multi-commodity transload and warehouse facility, an automotive compound, and a liquid/bulk transload and distribution facility. The site is strategically located a few miles east of the Calgary Airport, CN said, which should provide fluid access to major roadways.

"We are very excited about business prospects in Alberta and this investment in the Calgary area," said Claude Mongeau, CN president and chief executive officer.

"This facility is part of our program to grow a network of logistics parks that provide seamless and efficient transportation and distribution capabilities for customers, linking their facilities across North America."

The Logistics Park is scheduled to open in 2013. CN said the project would be subject to regulatory approval, including a thorough environmental assessment and public consultation. CN said most of its Calgary yard operations will shift to the new Logistics Park.

Calgary is the third largest distribution center in Canada and is becoming the logistics hub of Western Canada, serving a rapidly expanding market. The new site provides ample space for current and planned customer initiatives, and the park will be designed to allow easy expansion as the Calgary hub continues to grow.

The new CN Logistics Park will offer the potential for a total warehousing footprint of over two million square feet to customers who need to distribute their goods across Western Canada, whether sourced from Asia through the West Coast or coming from eastern Canada and the U.S.

"This is an exciting prospect for Rocky View County and ties in well with our long-term strategic direction," said Rob Coon, county's chief administrative officer. "An investment of this magnitude would bring substantial benefits to both the County and the Calgary regional area."


Source: World.grain.com, February 5, 2010