CPF66 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 12, 2024 9:47 am
Yes, CN has been looking to open another Atlantic port for a few years. A few locations on CBNS have been tossed around as have some in the Maramishi-Campbellton area in NB.
Overall the most optimal location for a second port would appear to be Port Hawkesbury. It’s not too far inland from the ocean, doesn’t require ships to traverse narrower bodies of water, and doesn’t require rebuilding the line east of St. Peter’s Jct. (which is also heavily curved).
I’m still holding out for Sydney to be the winning candidate though as it once was an industrial hub until the 1990s (?) when everything started to gradually be shuddered so repurposing it as a proper port city would seem like a no brainer. But I doubt that could work unless the trackage and certain bridges were to be overhauled or completely rebuilt with speeds competitive with trucks. The main roads on Cape Breton Island have grades and curves for sure due to the topography, but the amount of straight stretches and speed limits are fairly generous.