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The Inland CN Pit and Its Strategic Location
Nestled near Kamloops, British Columbia, the Inland CN Pit is a key aggregate source serving both regional construction and national rail infrastructure. Operated by Inland Aggregates, a division of Lehigh Hanson and part of the global Heidelberg Materials Group, the pit sits adjacent to the Canadian National Railway corridor—hence the “CN” designation. This proximity allows for efficient rail loading and distribution of crushed stone, sand, and gravel across Western Canada.
The pit’s location is no accident. Kamloops lies at the junction of major highways and rail lines, making it a logistical hub for materials moving between Vancouver, Calgary, and northern resource zones. The geology of the area provides high-quality glacial till and riverbed deposits, ideal for concrete production, road base, and ballast.
Terminology Notes
The Inland CN Pit operates a full-scale crushing and screening setup, typically including:
Rail Ballast Production and CN Partnership
One of the pit’s primary outputs is rail ballast, a critical material for CN’s track maintenance and expansion. Ballast must meet strict specifications for size, angularity, and durability. The Inland CN Pit produces ballast using granite and basalt-rich deposits, crushed to 1.5–2.5 inch fragments with minimal fines.
CN contracts often require multi-thousand-ton deliveries on short notice. The pit’s rail spur allows direct loading into hopper cars, bypassing the need for long-haul trucking. In 2023, the site shipped over 250,000 tons of ballast to northern BC and Alberta, supporting CN’s double-track expansion and flood recovery efforts.
Environmental Management and Community Relations
Operating a large aggregate pit near residential zones and sensitive ecosystems requires careful planning. Inland Aggregates implements:
Challenges and Operational Strategies
The Inland CN Pit faces several challenges:
The Inland CN Pit is more than a hole in the ground—it’s a strategic asset in Canada’s infrastructure supply chain. With modern equipment, environmental stewardship, and rail-integrated logistics, it exemplifies how aggregate operations can evolve to meet the demands of a growing region. Whether supporting highways, railways, or urban development, the pit continues to shape the landscape—literally and economically.
Nestled near Kamloops, British Columbia, the Inland CN Pit is a key aggregate source serving both regional construction and national rail infrastructure. Operated by Inland Aggregates, a division of Lehigh Hanson and part of the global Heidelberg Materials Group, the pit sits adjacent to the Canadian National Railway corridor—hence the “CN” designation. This proximity allows for efficient rail loading and distribution of crushed stone, sand, and gravel across Western Canada.
The pit’s location is no accident. Kamloops lies at the junction of major highways and rail lines, making it a logistical hub for materials moving between Vancouver, Calgary, and northern resource zones. The geology of the area provides high-quality glacial till and riverbed deposits, ideal for concrete production, road base, and ballast.
Terminology Notes
- Aggregate: Crushed stone, gravel, or sand used in construction
- Ballast: Coarse stone placed beneath railroad tracks for stability and drainage
- Scalping Screen: Equipment used to separate oversized material before crushing
- Cone Crusher: A machine that reduces rock size using a rotating cone inside a hardened chamber
- Wash Plant: A system that cleans aggregate to remove silt, clay, and organic matter
The Inland CN Pit operates a full-scale crushing and screening setup, typically including:
- Primary Jaw Crusher for initial rock reduction
- Secondary Cone Crushers for shaping and sizing
- Scalping screens to remove oversize and fines
- Wash plant for producing clean sand and gravel
- Radial stackers and conveyors for stockpiling
- Rail loading silos and truck scales for outbound logistics
Rail Ballast Production and CN Partnership
One of the pit’s primary outputs is rail ballast, a critical material for CN’s track maintenance and expansion. Ballast must meet strict specifications for size, angularity, and durability. The Inland CN Pit produces ballast using granite and basalt-rich deposits, crushed to 1.5–2.5 inch fragments with minimal fines.
CN contracts often require multi-thousand-ton deliveries on short notice. The pit’s rail spur allows direct loading into hopper cars, bypassing the need for long-haul trucking. In 2023, the site shipped over 250,000 tons of ballast to northern BC and Alberta, supporting CN’s double-track expansion and flood recovery efforts.
Environmental Management and Community Relations
Operating a large aggregate pit near residential zones and sensitive ecosystems requires careful planning. Inland Aggregates implements:
- Dust suppression using water trucks and chemical binders
- Noise control through berms and equipment mufflers
- Reclamation plans for phased restoration of mined areas
- Wildlife monitoring and seasonal work restrictions
- Community engagement through open houses and feedback sessions
Challenges and Operational Strategies
The Inland CN Pit faces several challenges:
- Seasonal freeze-thaw cycles affecting equipment and material flow
- Regulatory changes in water use and reclamation standards
- Competition from smaller pits and recycled aggregate suppliers
- Labor shortages in skilled equipment operators and mechanics
- Predictive maintenance using telematics and vibration sensors
- Cross-training programs for multi-role operators
- On-site fuel and parts storage to reduce downtime
- Collaboration with CN to forecast ballast demand and optimize loading schedules
The Inland CN Pit is more than a hole in the ground—it’s a strategic asset in Canada’s infrastructure supply chain. With modern equipment, environmental stewardship, and rail-integrated logistics, it exemplifies how aggregate operations can evolve to meet the demands of a growing region. Whether supporting highways, railways, or urban development, the pit continues to shape the landscape—literally and economically.
