Mr. Derek Taylor reports

CN INVESTING MORE THAN US$16 MILLION TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN KENTUCKYA S RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN 2019

Canadian National Railway Company plans to invest more than $16-million (U.S.) in Kentucky in 2019 to strengthen the company's rail network across the state.

"Following a record capital program in 2018, CN has been able to take on more traffic from different commodity sectors based on contracts with our customers," said Derek Taylor, vice-president of CN's Southern Region. "This year, we are continuing to invest to boost capacity and network resiliency and to meet growing traffic on our corridors across Kentucky."

The Kentucky investments are part of CN's 2019 record $2.9-billion (U.S.) capital investment focused on enabling growth from all commodity segments, including consumer goods, grain, agricultural, forest and energy products from all of the company's customers, safely and efficiently. Over two years, CN will have made a $5.7-billion (U.S.) capital investment.

"As a key part of Kentucky's transportation infrastructure, a strong rail system helps make our commonwealth a major logistics hub within North America," said Governor Matt Bevin. "We applaud CN's ongoing commitment to safety, maintenance and technical advancement of its lines, locomotives and employees."

CN is currently deploying important safety-enhancing technologies across its network, such as the autonomous track inspection program, distributed air cars, automated inspection portals and positive train control system. These innovations, combined with CN's investments in locomotives, capacity, infrastructure and train crews, will support the safe and efficient movement of the company's customers' goods to their end markets.

"Kentucky's nearly 2,800 miles of rail provide hundreds of employers with freight logistics they need while adding to our year-over-year growth in exports and contributing to our commonwealth's vibrant economy," said Erran Persley, Commissioner of Business Development at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. "I commend CN for its ongoing investment in the state, commitment to safety and maintenance of its network, and the role it plays in making Kentucky the engineering and manufacturing hub of America."

Maintenance program highlights include:

• Installation of more than 30,000 new railway ties;
• Maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems and other track infrastructure.

Kentucky in numbers

Capital investments:  more than $50-million (U.S.) in the last five years

Railway route-miles operated:   98

Local spending:   $27-million (U.S.) in 2018

Total taxes paid by CN:  more than $2-million (U.S.) in 2018

We seek Safe Harbor.