Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government will provide up to $6.7 million for two projects at the Port of Thunder Bay through the National Trade Corridors Fund. This commitment aims to enhance reliable trade flows with global markets, foster increased exports and optimize the efficiency of Canada’s national transportation system.
“We’re investing in the Port of Thunder Bay to redevelop the marshalling yard and increase cargo handling capabilities, to boost Canada’s competitiveness,” said Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport. “Canadian businesses will benefit from better access to international markets, and Canadian consumers will keep being able to access affordable goods, when they need them.”
The Government of Canada will contribute up to $3 million to the Port of Thunder Bay to redevelop the existing marshalling yard at the Ports Keefer Terminal. Adding new heavyweight rail track and switches will increase the Port’s cargo handling capabilities and will provide opportunities to attract new markets and improve supply chain fluidity.
There will also be $3.7 million to enhance the Port’s capacity by:
- upgrading the wharf at Keefer Terminal;
- expanding the terminal’s cargo laydown area;
- developing the electrical infrastructure for the new laydown area; and
- improving the rail crossing infrastructure between Keefer Terminal and the marshalling yard.
These projects will grow the Northern Ontario economy by supporting various important industries including grain, potash, steel, wind turbine components, transformers, and phosphate fertilizers.
“Today’s investment will upgrade the Port and Keefer Terminal’s ability to handle goods. The terminal is a gateway to Canada. It handles a variety of items ranging from important components needed for tar sand and mining projects, to gigantic components for wind turbines, to fertilizer needed for prairie farmers,” said Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski. “Given the importance of the terminal to our country’s economy, this funding is welcome news not just for Northwestern Ontario, but also for the Prairies and our entire country.”
The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada. Over $4.1 billion in funding has been committed under the program.
Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, Transport Canada is funding improvements to Canada’s roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes to foster domestic and international trade.
