Construction Underway on Railway Expansion Project
Michelle Pinon
News Advertiser
Construction is currently underway for a railway expansion project in Lamont County.
The expansion is within the existing private rail logistics yard of the Alberta Midland Railway Terminal, (AMIRT), which is located two kilometres west of the Town of Lamont just north of Highway 15 at 554051-Range Road 201 in Lamont County.
Company President and CEO Darcy Heggie said the expansion will provide additional capacity to store and switch up to 450 railcars and provide a connection to the Canadian Pacific Railway. Accordingly, phase two will feature approximately 37,275 total track feet for client services.
In addition to these services, AMRT expects that Phase two will also serve clients of its partner Canadian Heartland Training railways Services who conduct rail safety and technical training on AMRT’s property.
The Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board ruled in favour of the expansion project provided the company develop a landscaping plan. AMRT’s plan has provided for the construction of a berm, planting arrangements and weed control methods.
In response to the decision Heggie stated, “AMRT respects the decision rendered by the appeal committee. We are currently in the process of working with our engineers and construction consultants to ensure we comply 100% to the amendments laid out by the appeal committee.
AMRT has and will continue to strive to be the best corporate citizens and neighbors we can be. This permitted expansion is a very big and important step for AMRT and we firmly believe this best in class infrastructure we are building in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, (AIH), region will be a great compliment to the world class facilities operating and developing in this region. Helping major industrial players in the AIH region to get their goods to market in a safe and efficient matter will be the backbone of our business and a great foundation for future growth in Lamont County.”
AMIRT provides rail logistics services to world-class industrial, energy and agricultural customers. Construction of the rail yard began in 2016. Phase 1 of AMRT is designed as a reserved rail car storage facility that became operational in 2017.
AMIRT is a private Alberta corporation with its administrative offices located onsite within the rail yard facility. Key shareholders of AMRT include qualified rail operators and suppliers Northern Plains Rail Services-Canada, R.K. Heggie Grain Ltd., Dominion Railway Services Ltd, X-Rail Inc. and several private shareholders.