Port of Acheson: Connecting Alberta to Asia

Parkland County is at the heart of a growing opportunity. As trade with Asia expands, the Acheson area is uniquely positioned to become a major inland port—linking local producers and businesses to global markets. By building on Acheson’s strong road and rail connections, this project could create jobs, attract new investment, and strengthen the local economy while ensuring Parkland County continues to thrive as a place to live, work, and do business.

Building the Case for an Inland Port in Acheson

The idea of developing an inland port in Acheson is more than just a logistics project—it represents a transformative opportunity for Parkland County and the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. With its prime location, strong infrastructure, and alignment with global trade flows, Acheson is uniquely positioned to become a major inland gateway for Canadian exports, particularly to Asian markets.

Why Acheson?

Acheson’s location just west of Edmonton gives it a rare combination of advantages:

• Rail Access: Both Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail lines are within reach, providing direct routes to Canada’s two key West Coast ports—Prince Rupert and Vancouver.

• Highway Connectivity: Situated on Highway 16 (the Yellowhead) and intersected by Highway 60, Acheson offers seamless truck access to all parts of Alberta and beyond.

• Proximity to Air Cargo: Edmonton International Airport (EIA), a growing cargo hub with Asia-Pacific connections, is less than an hour away.

• Established Industrial Base: Acheson already hosts one of Alberta’s largest industrial parks, with warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing capacity in place.

Opportunities for Growth

The creation of an inland port at Acheson would unlock new opportunities across multiple sectors:

• Export Efficiency: Agricultural products, energy by-products, lumber, and manufactured goods could move more efficiently to Asia, reducing transportation costs and transit times.

• Value-Added Processing: With consolidation, packaging, and cold-storage facilities onsite, more products could be prepared for international markets closer to their source.

• Intermodal Integration: Bringing rail, road, and warehousing together in one hub would streamline logistics and create economies of scale.

• Investment Magnet: Inland ports typically attract logistics firms, manufacturers, and service providers, strengthening the region’s role as a trade and investment destination.

Benefits to Parkland County

For Parkland County, an inland port represents long-term economic resilience and growth:

• Job Creation: From construction to logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing, thousands of direct and indirect jobs could be created.

• Tax Base Expansion: A world-class logistics hub would grow the County’s non-residential tax base, helping fund services without overburdening residents.

• Global Competitiveness: An inland port would elevate Parkland County as a critical player in Canada’s Asia-Pacific trade corridor.

• Sustainability: By shifting more cargo from truck to rail, the inland port could also reduce congestion and emissions.

Parkland County's Role in the Port Alberta Vision

Acheson is not an isolated project but a cornerstone of the broader Port Alberta vision—an integrated inland port system linking rail, road, and air infrastructure to global markets. Its location west of Edmonton provides the space and connectivity needed to anchor Alberta’s future in international trade.

The creation of an inland port in Acheson would be a strategic win not only for Parkland County but for Alberta and Canada as a whole. By aligning its location advantages with the demands of global commerce, Acheson can evolve into a hub of trade, investment, and opportunity—ensuring that the County remains a gateway to the world.

My Election Promise

If elected, I will work to make the Port of Acheson vision a reality by championing key infrastructure upgrades, securing federal and provincial funding, and partnering with CN Rail to expand intermodal capacity. I will prioritize early collaboration with Indigenous communities, commission feasibility studies to demonstrate economic and environmental benefits, and build strong public and business support for the project. By leveraging Alberta’s trade corridors and pursuing innovative public-private financing, I will position Parkland County as a major inland hub connecting Alberta directly to Asian markets.