GrainsConnect Canada is pleased to announce the location of its third independent, high throughput grain terminal.
Subject to regulatory approval, the $30m project will be built near the town of Vegreville, 100km east of Edmonton, Alberta.
In line with previously announced sites in Maymont and in the Municipality of Reford in Saskatchewan, the site will feature a state-of-the-art 35,000 tonne grain terminal with the ability to load 130 rail cars in under 14 hours. Like the Saskatchewan sites, GrainsConnect Vegreville will be the first site in the region with a 130 car rail loop, increasing efficiency and reliability to growers in the area.
GrainsConnect Canada President Warren Stow said: “This is the first site to be developed in Alberta and will bring a competitive edge to the regions’ growers. Growers will have more choice and access to one of the most efficient supply chains to the West Coast.
“While the project is subject to regulatory approval, we are confident this will bring many benefits to the region and represents a multimillion dollar infrastructure investment. We hope to start construction this summer.
“As we have seen at the Saskatchewan sites, at least 50 jobs will be created during construction as well as 12 – 15 full time jobs once completed.
“I want to thank our rail partner CN and the Alberta Provincial Government for their enthusiastic support for the project,” Mr Stow said.
CN Vice President of bulk Doug MacDonald said: “CN is pleased to once again be partnering with GrainsConnect to help it grow its business in Alberta, connect it to world markets, and strengthen the grain supply in Western Canada”.
Once regulatory approval has been secured, construction is expected to commence mid-year with an expected completion date of late 2018.
Source : Grains Connect Canada