St. Lawrence ports to get infrastructure upgrades

Two Ports on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec are getting federal funding for infrastructure improvements.

Saguenay Port is receiving $33 million through the National Trade Corridors Fund and $33 million from the Quebec government to increase handling capacity and reduce bottlenecks in daily operations. Trois-Rivières Port Authority will receive $3,772,998 in financial support through Canada Economic Development’s program for Quebec.

At Saguenay, the project involves installing an electric mechanized transport system – a conveyor – to transport bulk materials at the port. The system will be used to move materials back and forth between the industrial port zone and ships docked at the Grande-Anse Marine Terminal. This system will support the loading and unloading of materials, and will be accessible for current and future port users who may build processing plants on the Saguenay Port property.

“This major contribution from the Government of Canada will allow the Port of Saguenay to electrify its bulk cargo trans-shipment operations and become even more competitive,” said Stéphane Bédard
chairman of the board of directors of the Port of Saguenay.

“This strategic infrastructure for Quebec supports the port in its mission to promote trade and highlights the great importance of the Saguenay waterway for Canada.”

The project proposal at Trois-Rivières, in collaboration with the Ville de Trois-Rivières, will ensure a fluid connection for non-standard traffic between the industrial port area and the Port of Trois-Rivières. The non-repayable contribution will enable it to reconfigure an intersection, close off the junction of two other roads, bury or raise electric and communication wires, and strengthen the roadway, as well as cover the costs related to the completion of preliminary studies, plans and estimates.

“Thanks to Canada Economic Development’s assistance, the Trois-Rivières Port Authority and the Ville de Trois-Rivières will put infrastructure into place to support the city’s manufacturing industry,” said Gaétan Boivin, president and CEO, Trois-Rivières Port Authority. This will help it develop its international markets while also reducing the environmental impact of transporting exported products. This project is perfectly aligned with what the city and the port have proposed to develop the Trois-Rivières industrial port area.”