Transport Canada

Union Pacific is purchasing four hybrid cranes for testing in its intermodal yards. These hybrid cranes are expected to consume at least 50% less diesel fuel than standard cranes. (UP Photograph)

Intermodal Briefs: UP, Port of Belledune, Western Intermodex

Union Pacific (UP) finalizes contracts for four hybrid cranes to test in its intermodal yards. Also, the government of Canada is investing up to C$12.5 million in an infrastructure project at the CN-served Port of Belledune in New Brunswick; and intermodal services firm Western IntermodeX acquires Quickload Logistics to boost import transload capacity in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Canada: Lac-Mégantic Bypass Project Advancing

Nearly a decade after the horrific derailment of a crude oil unit train at Lac-Mégantic, Quebec that claimed 47 lives and led to new regulations for railroad hazmat tank cars, Canada Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra on Jan. 14 announced that building a 12.5-km (7.75-mile) bypass to get trains out of downtown Lac-Mégantic “remains a priority.” While the government has signed agreements to acquire some of the land for the project, he said, it has decided not to extend the “mutual negotiation period” with the remaining impacted owners after doing so three times, so that the project can move forward.

“Today’s investment for Huron Central Railway in Northern Ontario will improve railway infrastructure by increasing the fluidity and reliability of rail service, reducing travel time of railcar traffic and relieving supply chain congestion,” Canada Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra reported on Twitter. (Photograph Courtesy of Alghabra via Twitter)

For HCRY, C$21MM in Infrastructure Improvement Funding

Genesee & Wyoming Canada’s Huron Central Railway Inc. (HCRY) will receive a total of C$21 million for infrastructure rehabilitation from the governments of Canada and Ontario, which announced their investment on Jan. 10. The 173-mile short line in Northern Ontario will contribute C$10.5 million to the work.

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra

Transport Canada Announces Program to Enhance Rail Safety Engagement

The government of Canada announced a new rail safety funding program called the Program to Enhance Rail Safety Engagement to “encourage Indigenous and local communities to participate in rail safety initiatives in Canada,” as well as a Call for Proposals for the program, with up to $1.6 million in funding, open now until February 16, 2023, Transport Canada reported Dec. 15.