CN to invest US$50 million in Mississippi

Derek Taylor, Vice-President, Eastern Region at CN, said: “We take our essential role in the North American economy seriously and these investments in Mississippi are a key part of our strategy to support growth. The company remains committed to help enable supply chains that fuel Mississippi’s growth as we are a critical part of getting everyday goods to markets and consumers. Safety is a core value at CN and by investing in the maintenance and expansion of our track and capacity, we are providing customers with a safe and reliable solution at a time when fluid supply chains are more critical than ever.”

Tom King, Southern District Transportation Commissioner at the Mississippi Department of Transportation, added: “Sustained, long term investment in infrastructure is the key to keeping Mississippi poised for a rapid economic recovery. With this announcement, CN will have contributed more than US$350 million to its rail network in our state in the last 5 years. Their commitment is unmatched and greatly appreciated!”

The company’s investments will create greater capacity, which supports reductions in its customer’s transportation supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, by encouraging the use of rail for long haul needs. This reduces emissions, traffic congestion, accidents and burdens on public transportation infrastructure as one freight train can replace over 300 trucks from roads. Moving freight by rail instead of truck reduces GHG emissions by 75%. The company will continue to deploy important safety enhancing technologies across its network, such as the Autonomous Track Inspection Programme, Distributed Air Cars and Automated Inspection Portals.

Maintenance programme highlights include:

• Replacement of 12 miles of rail.
• Installation of over 125 000 new railroad ties.
• Rebuilds of 31 road crossing surfaces.
• Maintenance work on bridges, level crossings, culverts, signal systems and other track infrastructure.

CN’s network criss-crosses Mississippi, with a rail yard in Jackson serving as a hub for petroleum headed to the western part of the Magnolia State, coal moving east to Alabama, grain shipping south to the Gulf Coast for export and chemical products headed north to the Midwest. Intermodal products destined throughout North America are handled through the intermodal terminal in Jackson. CN also has an automotive distribution facility serving the Nissan assembly plant in Canton.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/28072020/cn-to-invest-us50-million-in-mississippi/