New Strategic Mandate for SYSTRA Canada to Study Capacity Enhancement of the Hudson Bay Railway Corridor

The first part of the study is already underway, focusing on the Flin Flon Subdivision, a 140 km section connecting Flin Flon to The Pas, Manitoba. It will be followed by a study covering an additional 828.812 km of the railway network to the Port of Churchill.

These new mandates mark an important milestone in the expansion of our activities in Canada and further reinforce our recognized expertise in freight rail, mining rail infrastructure, and heavy-haul transportation.

They also reflect a shared ambition to build up the Hudson Bay Railway as a strategic transportation corridor for Canada and a key international export gateway, particularly through its connection to the Port of Churchill.

A Project Supporting the Diversification of Trade Corridors

The objective of these studies is to evaluate the current capacity of the railway network and identify the improvements required to support future traffic growth, particularly in the context of heavier trains and increasing operational demands.

As part of this project, our teams will support Arctic Gateway Group by:

• Assessing the current performance of the railway infrastructure, including track, bridges, and hydraulic structures;
• Identifying existing capacity constraints;
• Developing improvement scenarios aligned with future operational needs;
• Estimating the investments required to implement these improvements.

A Structured Two-Phase Approach

The studies will follow a two-phase methodology:

• Phase 1 – Preliminary Corridor Assessment: Identification of critical areas and development of initial recommendations.
• Phase 2 – Detailed Technical Assessment: Comprehensive engineering analyses and the development of a prioritized improvement program.

This structured approach will provide Arctic Gateway Group with a clear, progressive, and reliable framework to support future investment decisions.

Recognized Expertise Supporting a New Partner

This project builds on SYSTRA Canada’s extensive experience delivering complex projects on high-capacity railway networks, particularly in the mining and industrial sectors. It brings together expertise in:

• Railway engineering;
• Rail capacity assessment;
• Structural engineering for bridges and hydraulic structures;
• Capital investment planning.

The project also supports Arctic Gateway Group’s vision to strengthen its position as the Arctic’s leading trade corridor and making the Port of Churchill a major national port in Canada, enabling the vast natural resources and diverse products of Western Canada to reach international markets via Hudson Bay.

We are delighted to begin this collaboration with Hudson Bay Railway and to support Arctic Gateway Group in achieving its strategic ambitions for Manitoba and Canada.

Guillaume GENIN – Executive Vice President – Intercity & Heavy Rail – SYSTRA Canada