Canadian grain elevator company Viterra has announced plans to expand its Provost, Alberta, high throughput elevator.

The project will increase the loading capability of the facility, served by Canadian Pacific (CP), to 112 railcars from 56 and raise its storage capacity by 12,000 tonnes, to a total of 29,300 tonnes.

The improved capacities and operational efficiencies will generate value for Viterra's farm customers, end-users and the industry as a whole, according to Bob Miller, Senior Vice-President, Grain, North America.

Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2009 and is scheduled for completion in the fall harvest period. It will increase the number of 100-car loading facilities in Viterra's network to 36.

"Viterra's latest infrastructure investment is a welcome addition to the grain handling system," said Michael Adams, Canadian Pacific's Assistant Vice-President, Grain. "Efficient elevator operations and capabilities enhance CP's ability to create pipeline capacity in the overall grain handling network."

Last year, Viterra completed similar railcar capacity improvements at its high throughput elevators at Grenfell, Saskatchewan and Grassy Lake, Alberta. Additionally the company is constructing a new terminal at Sexsmith, Alberta in the Peace River region.

Viterra Inc. is Canada's leading agribusiness, with extensive operations and distribution capabilities across Western Canada, and with operations in the US, Japan and Singapore. The company is diversified into sales and services of crop inputs and equipment, grain handling and marketing, livestock feed, agri-food processing and financial products.