Canadian Northern Ry. construction, etc.

...

Canadian Northern Ry.—M. H. McLeod, General Manager, spent some time in Toronto in March in consultation with the President and Vice President, when most of the construction to be done this year was decided on. It is probable that between 400 and 500 miles of new track will be added to the company's mileage this year.

The Oak Point branch, which is now operated from Oak Point Jct., near Winnipeg, to Oak Point, 60.4 miles, has been graded for about 30 miles further northwesterly. This will be laid with track this year and considerable more grading will be done. This branch will serve the district east of Lake Manitoba and will ultimately reach the gypsum deposits there.

On the branch from Mayfield, on the Brandon-Regina line, running south-westerly and westerly and crossing the C.P.R. Pasqua-Portal branch south of Midale, track was laid in 1909 for 68.39 miles and about 80 further has been graded. Track will be laid on this early this year.

On the branch from Hallboro, Man., westerly via Rapid City, 69.28 miles of track were laid in 1909 and about 6 miles more grading has been done. This may be laid with track this year.

The Rossburn branch from Neepawa, Man., which is intended to connect with the main line at Dauphin, Sask., is now being operated to Russell, Man., 104.2 miles from Neepawa. A further extension will probably be built this year.

On the Thunder Hill extension from Thunder Hill Jct., Man., near Swan River on the Dauphin-Prince Albert line, track has been laid for over 40 miles and about 13 miles more have been graded, on which track will be laid this year. Some further grading is also likely to be done.

On the Goose Lake branch from Saskatoon, Sask., towards Calgary, Alta., track has been laid to Kindersley, the first division point, 127 miles, and grading has been done for 46 miles further into Alberta. Track wll1 be laid on this grading this year.

The Prince Albert-North Battleford branch is now built to Shellbrook, 30 miles from Prince Albert, Sask. About 40 miles further will be built this year. From the present end of track on the Prince Albert-North Battleford line via Shellbrook, 45 miles of the Crooked Lake branch has been graded. The remaining 15 miles will be graded this year and track laid on the whole 60 miles. From North Battleford, Sask., via Jackfish Lake towards Athabasca Landing, 40 miles have been graded and will be laid with track this year.

On the branch from Vegreville, Alta., southerly via Camrose and Stettler toward Calgary. about 130 miles have been graded and 19.47 miles of track were laid in 1909. Track will be laid on the balance of the 130 miles of grading this year.

On the branch from Edmonton, Alta., towards Athabaska Landing 21.5 miles are being operated to Morinville and about 23 miles more have been graded. This will be laid with track this year.

The main line is in operation from Edmonton 21 miles west to Stony Plains and is graded for about 12 miles further. Track will be laid on this grading this year. The grading will probably be extended to the McLeod River, about 80 miles further, this year, and a portion of the new grading will also be laid with track. At the crossing of the Pembina River a large bridge will have to be built which will occupy considerable time.

Among the principal betterments to be made this year will be considerable ballasting on most of the lines. Between Port Arthur and Winnipeg a number of bridges will be filled in, and between Kakabeka and Slate River there will be a diversion of about nine miles to improve the alignment and reduce the gradient from 1% to 4/10 of 1%. There will also be another diversion of about two miles, 78 miles west of Port Arthur in connection with grade reduction. On the 438 miles between Port Arthur and Winnipeg 80-lb. steel rails have been laid on 240 miles and the relaying will be continued this year on the remaining 198 miles, replacing the present 56 and 60 lbs. rails. Yard facilities will be increased at a number of 'points and the locomotive houses at Port Arthur and Winnipeg will probably be extended. A number of additional sidings will be built between Port Arthur and Winnipeg and on the main line west of Winnipeg. Additional wires will be strung on some of the telegraph lines.

A proposition is said to be under consideration for the alteration of the C.N.R. route across the north-west arm of Rainy Lake, near Fort Frances, Ont. The Resident Engineer of the Department of Public Works at Winnipeg, has inspected the route, with a view of ensuring the freedom of navigation. The plan shows a new bridge to leave the mainland south of the present crossing, thence south-east to the islands south of island no. 1, and sweeping in a semicircle to the Lobstick, where it joins the present main line. The piers would be of cement with steel super-structure, which would form the first section. Later on, the remainder would be filled and strengthened. The navigation interests ask that three drawbridges be provided one at island no. 1; another at Rocky inlet, and a third at Bears Pass, as well as two larger openings at the present opening west of island no. 1, for the running of logs. On the Fort Garry Station building at Winnipeg about 85% of the work has been done and It is expected to complete the structure by the end of the summer. Work on the yard is well under way. The tracks through the portion of the city between the Red and Assiniboine Rivers will be elevated, all level crossings being eliminated, the tracks being carried on embankment with retaining walls and steel bridges across the streets. A steel viaduct is provided at the rear of the station with room underneath for baggage, express, etc.

Replying to a delegation of farmers from the district north of Teulon, Man., recently, the Manitoba Minister of Public Works stated that the Government was prepared to give the C.N.R. a guarantee of bonds towards the extension of the line to the Eli sand pits northerly and westerly into the Brant and Argyle districts.

A cable from London, Eng., reports W. Mackenzie, President, as saying that he expected the Railway to Hudson Bay to be in operation within three years. it remained to be seen whether the line would be constructed by the C.N.,R. or by the Dominion Government.

The contract let to T. Kelly & Son, in connection with the new bridge across the Assiniboine River at Winnipeg, referred to in our Mar. issue, covers the construction of the piers only. The details at the super-structure have not been definitely settled. it has however been decided that one of the spans will be a rolling lift. The bridge will be double track. T. Kelly & Son also have the contract for the Pembina St. subway.

Railways: C.No.Ry.

Results