The federal government on Thursday announced it will kick in more than $23 million for a planned expansion and upgrades to the ADM grain terminal at Port Windsor.
The project – which carries a total price tag of $76 million – is expected to significantly increase export capacity to global markets in the US, Latin America, and Europe for southwestern Ontario agricultural production from farmers in Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex and Elgin counties.
The project will include:
the construction of new grain drying equipment;
an expansion of grain storage capacity;
an expansion of shipping and receiving conveyor loading capacity; and
the development of an automated truck kiosk system to expedite complex traffic flows.
In addition to expanding infrastructure, the project will also improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Canadian grain exports, “ensuring their continued growth and successful reach into designated markets,” according to a federal release.
“By increasing our export capacity at Port Windsor, we’re helping our farmers get Canadian grain to international markets, which is good for economic growth and for global food security,” said Pablo Rodriguez, federal Minister of Transport
Along with alleviating the current supply chain bottleneck at the Windsor grain terminal, the project will address such issues as idling trucks, waiting times for marine vessels to dock, and locomotives shuttling around railcars for temporary grain storage on site.
Some of the planned work is already underway, with full completion hopefully expected around the middle of 2025.
