Canadian National Railway (CN) has unveiled multi-million dollar plans to double track key segments of its high-volume, main line in north eastern Alberta, add capacity to the oil sands and increase train speeds between Edmonton and Winnipeg, according to the Shipping Gazette.

"We are making investments in Alberta to increase network capacity and improve train velocity along our transcontinental main line and to be positioned to handle greater volumes over our line to Fort McMurray, the gateway to Alberta's oil sands production," said CN chief operating officer Keith Creel.

CN's proposed capacity improvements include C$12 million (US$12.43 million) to be invested in the construction of 3.5 miles of track between two sidings 20 miles east of Edmonton creating 7.9 miles of double track. The new track is expected to help dispatchers expedite the meeting of trains and to increase train speeds on what the railway operator says is one of the highest density corridors on its system.

The company said C$12 million will also be invested to build 11,400 feet of track east of Clover Bar yard in greater Edmonton to facilitate switching to speed arrivals and departures.

The company plans to spend C$10 million on its secondary Lac La Biche Subdivision in northern Alberta to accommodate additional traffic to and from Fort McMurray.

There are also plans to spend C$3 million on reconfiguring tracks at Walker Yard in Edmonton to increase the efficiency of the terminal to handle greater volumes of rail freight, it said.