CN investing $165 million in Illinois

CN announced today that, as part of its strategic investments to support growing demand and enable supply chains, it plans to invest approximately $165 million (USD) across Illinois in 2020. The investments will focus on the Chicago St Charles Airline Bridge renewal as well as the replacement of rail and ties and maintenance of bridges, level crossings, culverts, signal systems and other track infrastructure.

“We take our essential role in the North American economy seriously and these investments in Illinois are a key part of our strategy to support growth. The Company remains committed to help enable supply chains that fuel Illinois’ growth as we are a critical part of getting everyday goods to markets and consumers. Safety is a core value at CN and by investing in the maintenance and expansion of our track and capacity, we are providing customers with a safe and reliable solution at a time when fluid supply chains are more critical than ever.” 

  -      Derek Taylor, Vice-President, Eastern Region at CN

“Sustained long term investment in our infrastructure is something every part of our country needs. Illinois has been blessed with freight rail partners, like CN, who year after year contribute hundreds of millions of dollars of private investment in our state. CN surpassing $1.3 billion in private CAPEX in Illinois alone over the last five years has set the foundation for the quick economic recovery we all seek.”

  -      Mike Hastings, Illinois State Senator, the 19th Senate District includes portions of Cook and Will Counties, home to many communities at the core of CN’s Illinois network.

The Company’s investments will create greater capacity, which supports reductions in its customer’s transportation supply chain GHG emissions, by encouraging the use of rail for long haul needs. This reduces emissions, traffic congestion, accidents and burdens on public transportation infrastructure as one freight train can replace over 300 trucks from roads. Moving freight by rail instead of truck reduces GHG emissions by 75%. The Company will continue to deploy important safety enhancing technologies across its network, such as the Autonomous Track Inspection Program, Distributed Air Cars and Automated Inspection Portals.

 Maintenance program highlights include:             
Illinois in numbers:
Illinois is CN’s largest state in terms of operations and employees. CN’s routes from throughout North America converge in Chicago. Homewood, a Chicago suburb, is home to CN’s U.S. headquarters and a modern training centre. CN Campus is focused on instilling and reinforcing a strong safety culture. In 2019, nearly 3,000 experienced railroaders, new hires and customers received a complete range of hands-on technical training.

• Replacement of 9 miles of rail
• Installation of over 180,000 new railroad ties
• Rebuilds of 45 road crossing surfaces
• Maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems, and other track infrastructure

• Capital investments: More than $1,3 billion in the last five years
• Employees: approximately 1,825
• Railroad route miles operated: 1,253
• Community partnerships: $247,000 in 2019
• Local spending: $1 billion in 2019
• Cash taxes paid: $35 million in 2019