Tk’emlups gears up for rail hub near Kamloops

Tk’emlups is planning to expand its riverside rail yard into an inland transportation hub.

Its proposed transportation hub would be along the CN rail line and part of the First Nation’s 7Mile District industrial project, according to documents submitted to Kamloops city council.

If built, the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc 7Mile Rail plan is proposed to ease transportation congestion in Vancouver by hosting a hub further inland where the CN and CPKC lines converge in Kamloops.

Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation, the First Nation’s business arm, is leading the charge behind the inland port and has plans for a renewable fuel project in the same area.

It’s a joint project with Azure Sustainable Fuels and is expected to produce renewable aviation and diesel fuels near the rail yard.

There’s already a CN rail yard on the site, between Highway 5 and the North Thompson River.

It’s not clear whether the rail company is backing the project, but the plan still in early phases.

Concept planning and engagement with rail companies will come in the future.

The First Nation’s submission to city council indicates it is actively looking for partners and investors, along with “government and defence-aligned stakeholders,” and it has already applied to Transport Canada for funding.

It’s seeking city council’s support in the effort.