CN rail opens new Calgary Logistics Park

CN Rail opened its new state-of-the-art logistics park today with the arrival of the first CN trains to the park’s intermodal terminal.

The multi-million dollar Calgary Logistics Park, which spans 680 acres, features an intermodal terminal with 30 per cent more capacity than CN's existing Calgary intermodal terminal and space for further expansion, specialised equipment for temperature sensitive shipments and is strategically located close to major ports and highways.

Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, said: "The opening of this intermodal terminal launches our logistics park operation, which will provide seamless transportation solutions to rail customers moving products and commodities into and out of Calgary -- one of the fastest growing regional markets in North America.

"CN's C$200-million logistics park is strategically located between the ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver and major cities across Canada and mid-America. The park's intermodal terminal, along with very competitive ocean and rail transportation times, will provide Alberta businesses ample capacity for consumer goods and industrial materials and effective export routes for forest products, plastics and agri-products."

The new intermodal terminal, relocated from CN's Sarcee Yard in southeast Calgary, has:

• Four automated in-gates and three automated out-gates to keep truck turnaround times in the terminal to below 45 minutes;
• A container yard for convenient storing of international containers;
• Specialised equipment for temperature-controlled products, allowing CN to expand its existing reefer volumes.

The logistics park has space to accommodate more than 2.5 million square feet of warehouse distribution facilities, including a rail-to-truck transload operation and a new CN Autoport facility to serve the regional finished vehicles market.

Ruest said: "The Calgary Logistics Park will help CN to reduce transportation costs of its customers through highly efficient materials handling, transportation and distribution processes, and thus will help them grow their businesses."

The new facility, with ready access to Stoney Trail, the Trans Canada Highway and other major roadways, is situated on Twp Road 250/McKnight Boulevard and is 10 kilometres from Calgary International Airport.