Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 6:28 am
Finally, where else on the Canadian East Coast might CN have in mind for a port that they can call their very own? Could it be St. John's where they would rebuild "The Newfie" to Standard Gauge and tunnel under the Strait
Its been mentioned a few times by myself, but CN already serves a number of suitable locations on the former New Brunswick East Coast network.
The former Boise-Cascade mill site in Miramichi, NB and I believe there is another location near Newcastle which I believe both have deep water access. The only issue with the Boise-Cascade site is there is a relatively "low" highway bridge.
Another possible contender is Dalhousie, NB. There is a vacant mill site which was once home to a papermill as well as I want to say a chemical plant which took shipments via ship. There is already an existing channel depth of 36-40 feet and the pier is in the 30-35 range. The other big plus is the port facility already has a rail connection, although the rail line, port, and channel would all need major work obviously. I want to say Gaspe which is up towards the mouth of the Saint Lawrence, which CN has a rail connection to via the Société de chemin de fer de la Gaspésie could also be taken into consideration. However there would need to be a port built, and the channel would require dredging since its only like 30 feet. At least with that part of Quebec/New Brunswick, generally speaking the governments push through any type of development without caving to the nimbys and environmental groups, following the collapse of the paper/lumber industry (I/E the Ciment McInnis plant in Port Daniel which had immense push back, but was approved anyway). The government is also replacing virtually all the bridges on the rail line, and getting the clearances up for stacks, despite not having any of that business.
Matane, Quebec is another spot that is already served by CN. However the channel/port would need to be dredged from the existing 32ft depth, and actually they would have to do extensive work to get enough space built up for a port/container yard. And I am sure there are other suitable locations in Quebec as well.
Which this is in addition to the speculated site around Port Hawkesbury/Mulgrave, NS which has been discussed in depth following CN's purchase of part of CBNS's stock.