Cargill begins rail expansion in city

Cargill is beginning construction of a rail expansion at its Lethbridge facility to provide more opportunities for local farmers to sell and deliver their grain, the company said in a release this week.

The $20-million investment will more than double loading capacity and is expected to be complete midway through harvest 2018, Cargill officials said.

“This rail expansion will help our facility become more effective at moving our customers’ grain to market,” said Allan Facchinutti, Alberta regional commercial leader for Cargill’s agriculture business, in the release.

“The industry standard for rail capacity is increasing, and this project will ensure that Cargill Lethbridge is more than meeting the standard.”

As Cargill’s elevator is located within the city of Lethbridge, getting the expansion required a collaboration between Cargill, the City of Lethbridge and CP Rail.

“I’m delighted to see Lethbridge businesses like Cargill expanding their operations in our city,” said Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman in the release. “The efficient movement of grain is critically important for the agricultural sector in our region.”

Cargill’s Lethbridge facility handles canola, durum and wheat. When the project is complete, it will employ 20 people.