A new inland port is being constructed in southern Manitoba.
Mid Canada Transload Services Ltd has started construction on a new rail siding and industrial park located along Highway 75, one mile south of Letellier and about seven miles north of the US border.
The site will have daily rail service to and from the United States and Mexico with access to both the CN and BNSF railways.
The concept is the idea of Real Tetrault, CEO and President of Emerson Milling Inc., located at Emerson, MB. He says the plan is to build a mile of track on the site, with intentions to add another additional track in the next year or two. The siding will hold 70 cars to start, with future expansion to add capacity for another 50.
"Our plan is to service the agricultural industry, mainly, number one," said Tetrault. "We want to do a lot of the one to five to ten cars that are going to customers in the US and Mexico. We also want to transload/offload other products that are coming into Manitoba or Saskatchewan. I think we can service eastern Saskatchewan quite well from this location."
He notes that any product that travels more than 10 hours by truck is more cost effective when shipped by rail.
Manitoba’s Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen welcomed the new investment.
"Cross-border trade is vital to the growth and prosperity of Manitoba’s economy," said Cullen. "This development is strategically positioned with direct links to international markets. Manitoba producers, processors and small and mid-size shippers will benefit from the opportunities this new inland port will provide."
Tetrault explains that the company also wants to focus on Identity Preserved grain shipments, which he says are currently not looked after by the large elevators.
Source : Portageonline