Algoma, CN announce traffic relief for core area

Traffic delays at 11 downtown Sault rail crossings will be significantly reduced this fall, officials of Canadian National and Algoma Steel announced today.

Algoma Steel has agreed to grant CN an easement over its property near the Power Canal Bridge, allowing a new $1-million rail connection that will in turn allow rail traffic to move directly from the bridge into CN's Sault Ste. Marie rail yard.

The new link, as explained by CN/Algoma Central superintendent Gregory Wolnairski (shown above) will end the railway's complicated practice of shunting trains downtown on their way to the yards.

Elevated connection to be built this summer

When construction of the elevated connection to the bridge is completed this fall, CN will no longer block the Huron Central level crossings at Hudson, Huron, John, Wellington, North, Francis, Trancred, Bruce, Queen W., Albert, and Cathcart Streets.

Sandy Adam, Algoma Steel's president and CEO, didn't attend today's announcement but issued the following statement in a news release:

"We are happy to have been able to assist CN and the City of Sault Ste. Marie in addressing the community's concern over road blockages. This agreement will provide CN with direct access to their rail yard without impacting Algoma's ability to service its own shipping requirements. We're pleased to be part of that solution."

Terms of agreement remain confidential

The new rail link forms part of an agreement between CN and Algoma Steel, terms of which remain confidential.

CN officials believe the 4,500-foot link will reduce traffic waits at core-area level crossings to 30 percent or less of current levels.

Currently, about four trains travel through the core each day, a total of about 250 cars.

A single long train often blocks all 11 downtown crossings as it's shunted back and forth to the yard.

As an unexpected spin-off of today's announcement, Mayor John Rowswell is saying 75-100 logging trucks a day could also be diverted from the core. To read more about that, click here.

To see the location of the new rail link, click here.

How many radio newscasts will you miss when you're no longer stuck in traffic?

Better sign up now for our free, real-time updates of SooToday.com's exclusive coverage of local news. Just send an Email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line to [email protected].

This free E-mail service is provided courtesy of the community-minded businesses whose advertisements appear on these pages.