Transportation
Located at the heart of one of the strongest economies in the world, Alberta’s International Region is strategically located at the crossroads of major air, road and rail transportation routes.
Edmonton International Airport
Edmonton International Airport (EIA) is the fastest growing major airport in Canada and is also the largest at over 7,000 acres. EIA is constantly expanding to meet the region’s growing needs, driven by a booming economy and increasing passenger traffic. The $280 million expansion project, completed in 2005, allows EIA to currently service 5.5 million passengers annually. A further $200 million expansion will increase capacity to 7.5 million passengers and create cargo parking space for up to three large cargo aircraft to help existing carriers.
EIA is also home to AirLINKS Business Park, offering state-of-the-art transportation and logistics services as well as facilities allowing the region to greatly benefit from the efficiencies of combining air, rail and road infrastructure at a single point.
Road
The Leduc-Nisku region is serviced by Queen Elizabeth II Highway, part of the Canamex corridor that runs north-to-south from Alaska to Mexico City; and the Yellowhead Highway that links Prince Rupert to Edmonton and joins the Trans-Canada highway in Manitoba, directly linking the region from coast to coast.
The Leduc Nisku Economic Development Authority (EDA) has initiated a transportation study for the region to measure the need of a public transportation route between regional municipalities and the City of Edmonton. Given the massive labour pool located in the City, the transportation route would give regional companies better access to skilled professionals. The EDA is currently collaborating with both City and County to review the findings of the study and provide recommendations on the feasibility of such a project.
Rail
Both Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National operate intermodal rail facilities in Nisku Business Park and connect the region by rail to every major city in North America.
Port Alberta
Port Alberta is staged to become the new gateway for cargo transportation combining air, rail, and road transportation infrastructure at a single point – Edmonton International Airport. Given the region’s rail and road infrastructure and the airport’s proximity to Nisku Business Park, opportunity, location and potential combine to provide cost-effective manufacturing, distribution and supply chain management networks for both cargo and passenger traffic. Port Alberta will include 13,000 square metres of dedicated new cargo apron in 2007 and an additional 3,000 acres under development in 2008.
