CP Railway increases western Canada capacity by 12%

CP Railway increases western Canada capacity by 12%    Canadian Pacific Railway said Monday it has started a C$160 million ($128 million) track expansion project that will increase its capacity in western Canada 12 percent, to take advantage of the growing Asian market.
   The expansion involves 25 projects, including extending sidings and laying sections of double track in its western corridor extending from the Prairie region to the port of Vancouver, British Columbia. Work is expected to be completed this fall and will enable more than 400 extra freight cars to move each day.
   The announcement marks CPR’s first major expansion of its western rail network since 1986, Reuters reported.
   “Increased trade with China and other Asian countries has clearly shown that transportation capacity can be an enabler of economic growth,” said Rob Ritchie, president and chief executive officer of CPR.
   “Canadian shippers and ports want to participate in growing global markets. They want us to expand track capacity, and we are encouraged enough to take the initial step, ” Ritchie added.
   Ritchie also praised the federal, British Columbia and Alberta governments for creating a positive business climate for capital investment in infrastructure in the west. CPR said that the expansion project will support the Vancouver Port Authority’s expansion plans and the British Columbia government’s port strategy to make the province the preferred gateway to North America for goods from China.
   CPR’s said the C$160-million expansion program is in addition to its planned capital investment of about C$760 million ($609 million).