Viterra’s bid to expand its network of 100-car-loading terminals takes it to Provost, Alta., where it plans to nearly double the capacity of its elevator.
The grain company announced Feb. 7 it will expand the former Agricore United terminal at Provost, about 120 km south of Lloydminster, doubling its rail car loading capacity from 56 to 112 cars and boosting storage capacity from 17,300 to 29,300 tonnes.
The expansion will bring Viterra’s Prairie network of 100-car-loading terminals to a total of 36.
“Our expansion at Provost is consistent with our overall strategy to optimize our footprint in Western Canada and move a greater percentage of 100-car shipments to export position,” said Bob Miller, the company’s senior vice-president for grain in North America.
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“Efficient elevator operations and capabilities enhance (Canadian Pacific Railway’s) ability to create pipeline capacity in the overall grain handling network,” CPR assistant vice-president Michael Adams said in Viterra’s release.
Construction work on this expansion is booked to begin this spring, for completion during harvest this fall, Regina-based Viterra said.
Viterra, the largest grain handler in the country, wrapped up similar expansions last year at Grenfell in southeastern Saskatchewan and at Grassy Lake in southern Alberta. It also started work on a new terminal at Sexsmith in Alberta’s Peace River region.
