Candace BarnetteThe Canadian National Railway (CN) is bolstering American rail systems by investing $295 million across multiple states. The move is part of CN’s 2025 capital investment program (CIP) and spans rail networks across Canada and multiple U.S. states including Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Mississippi, Michigan and Minnesota.
CN has been powering North American transportation since 1919, operating a nearly 20,000-mile rail network that connects Canada’s coasts with the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast. The company, which was created as government entity before its privatization in 1995, transports more than 300 million tons of goods every year across the longest railway in North America, according to company officials.
According to the railway, the decision to invest heavily in American infrastructure reflects a commitment to strengthening cross-border supply chains. As part of CN’s broader $3.4 billion capital expenditure plan for 2025, the CIP includes approximately $2.9 billion for maintenance and infrastructure improvements across the U.S. and Canada. Over $500 million will support upgrades and expansions to rolling stock along the entire rail line.
In Indiana, CN is directing $20 million toward track maintenance and infrastructure initiatives to increase capacity and upgrade rolling stock. The investment builds on last year’s $28 million commitment from the company.
Tennessee will receive $30 million for infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades and network enhancements. This follows CN’s $36 million commitment to the state in 2024, which included upgrading the locomotive fueling facility at Harrison Yard and improvements to the Memphis railyard’s transload facility.
Illinois represents the largest single investment at $170 million, focusing on track maintenance, construction of the Chicago Logistics Hub and enhancement of facilities at CN’s Homewood Campus.
Mississippi will get $75 million in network improvements, strengthening CN’s presence in the state where it operates 575 route-miles of track. The investment follows last year’s $56 million commitment, which included upgrades at the Jackson railyard and capacity enhancements on the Beaumont Subdivision.
Michigan will receive $85 million invested in track maintenance and infrastructure initiatives, including projects to build intermodal capacity and upgrades at CN’s Lansing, Battle Creek and Flint railyards. The investment builds on 2024’s $79 million commitment for facilities including the Flat Rock Transload facility and Autoport operations in Lansing.
Minnesota rounds out the program with $60 million for track maintenance and infrastructure initiatives. The state received $77 million in 2024 investments that included upgrades to the Two Harbors rail yard and enhancements to the Duluth Iron Ore Dock.
The investments are already underway as part of CN’s 2025 capital program, with projects expected to continue throughout the year.
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