The US is set to approve the C$22bn ($16.44bn) cross-border rail project that will connect the state of Alaska and the Canadian province of Alberta.

This comes after the US President Donald Trump indicated that he will approve the Alaska-Alberta Railway (A2A Rail), which is expected to facilitate freight movement between the two countries.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

In a Twitter post, President Trump said that he will be issuing a presidential permit for the A2A Cross-Border Rail between Alaska and Canada, based on the recommendations of Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young.

According to a CBC report, the 2,570km-long project involves the construction of a new rail line from Fort McMurray in Alberta to the Delta Junction in Alaska passing through the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

Once complete, the project will support the transportation of oil, potash, ore and other container goods. The line can also be used to enable cross-border passenger services.

In an emailed statement to the CBC, Christine Myatt, a spokeswoman of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, said that the premier welcomed the decision.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

She was quoted as saying: “The Government of Alberta is glad to see the approval of the A2A rail project in the US. We support the development of trade corridors that can unlock new markets for Alberta’s products.”

The presidential approval is one of the many pre-requisites to begin the construction of the proposed A2A Rail project. The project now requires environmental clearances and other regulatory approvals in both countries.

In July, engineering firm HDR was contracted to carry out a detailed land survey along the Alberta segment of the proposed route.

Railway Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Railway Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
Winning the Innovation Award in the Reservation Systems category, EAO’s advanced seat reservation system tackles urbanisation and rising mobility demands head on. Explore how its adaptable HMI, modular design and energy saving display technology help operators boost capacity utilisation and improve the passenger experience.

Discover the Impact