Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel Project
Rail/Spur line= best option
- Reference Number
- 188
- Text
Rail-Specific Details for the Ignace Area Site
- The selected site (Revell area, ~21 km southeast of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and ~43 km northwest of Ignace, along Hwy 17) is near existing rail lines (e.g., CN rail corridors in the region).
- Rail was a factor in site screening — the area met criteria for viable access to existing road and rail routes.
- For rail, a spur line (short branch or siding) or siding extension would likely be needed to connect the main rail line to the repository site itself. This could involve:
- Building a short "fork" or spur track off the existing main line (a few km at most).
- Upgrading existing nearby rail infrastructure if required.
- NWMO describes this as minor compared to full new rail construction elsewhere. The spur would be part of site development (potentially included in the DGR's infrastructure scope), but the long-distance transport remains on public/existing rail.
- Rail shipments would use the same robust Type B casks as trucks, with CNSC certification for rail-specific crash/fire tests.If rail is prioritized in final plans, it would likely reduce perceived road dangers significantly for most of the journey.
- Submitted by
- Canada First
- Phase
- Planning
- Public Notice
- Public Notice - Comments invited on the summary of the Initial Project Description and funding available
- Attachment(s)
- N/A
- Date Submitted
- 2026-01-29 - 2:32 PM