# Infrastructure & Access \| Winnipeg Canada **URL:** [View](https://winnipegdev.dci-test.com/do-business/why-winnipeg/infrastructure-access/) **Last Updated:** 2026-11-05T21:51:14+00:00 **Summary:** Winnipeg infrastructure connects North America by air, rail, road and CentrePort Canada's inland port. ## Infrastructure & Access Centred for success ****Located at the geographic center of North America, Winnipeg is a prime logistics hub that serves as a strategic gateway to North American markets.**** We’re home to CentrePort Canada, one of the continent’s largest inland tri\-modal ports, with networks and infrastructure connecting to global markets via rail, road and air\. CentrePort provides the land, services and connectivity for all of your distribution, warehousing and manufacturing needs\. With direct rail access to the Port of Churchill –– and the growing feasibility of year\-round shipping due to ice\-capable ships and regional icebreakers – Winnipeg’s importance as a global trading hub is only increasing\. We’re a critical component of the Mid\-Continent Trade Corridor, with a global reach connecting to Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic gateways\. ### Air #### An ongoing history as an aviation centre Winnipeg is connected. The Winnipeg Richardson International Airport is one of the top cargo airports in Canada, offering 24/7 operations year-round. It is not only incredibly resilient, operating in all weather conditions, but also provides 24-hour Canada Customs services and is a certified transshipment point. An aviation fuel tax refund is available on international cargo flights from Manitoba. ### Rail #### Connecting the continent Winnipeg is the only city on the Canadian prairies served by three continental Class 1 railways. Canadian National Railway (CN) connects three coasts — Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), meanwhile, extends south to multiple ports in Mexico on both the Gulf and Pacific coasts. And the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) services the western two-thirds of the U.S., parts of Canada and key Mexican gateways.​ Shipping by rail in Canada offers significant cost advantages due to federal inter-switching regulations​. We have forced competition, so you won’t get stuck with higher prices from local railroads, along with set rates from the Canadian Transport Agency to keep prices reasonable. ​CN’s Symington Yard, the centerpiece of its transcontinental network, can handle more than 3,000 cars per day​. ### Trucking #### A thriving transportation ecosystem Winnipeg has long punched above its weight in transportation and logistics. The city’s establishment as a freight and logistics hub is the result of decades of investment, connectivity and coordination. Industry leaders, including Bison Transport, TransX, Arnold Bros. Transport and Gardewine continue to choose Winnipeg as their North American base of operations. About 1,200 trucks cross the Manitoba-U.S. border at Emerson/Pembina, ND every day, making it one of Canada’s busiest crossings. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all commercial traffic. A market of more than 100 million people can be accessed within a 24-hour drive of Winnipeg, providing significant advantages for regional distribution. Global companies can also look to Winnipeg for its niche logistics, value-added manufacturing and trade-based operations. Fast facts: - 80 per cent of Manitoba's merchandise trade with the U.S.is transported by truck. - About 400,000 commercial trucks cross the Manitoba-U.S. border every year. - There are nearly 500 for-hire trucking companies headquartered in Manitoba. - Winnipeg is a one-hour drive to one of the busiest U.S. border crossings in Canada, with a standard wait time of 10 minutes or less. Winnipeg’s strength in this sector is no accident — it’s backed by a highly-skilled workforce, industry-aligned training programs at our post-secondary institutions and a provincial government that actively favours logistics investment. ### Ports #### Connecting by rail, sea and CentrePort Winnipeg has long been the gateway to the north. The Port of Churchill is poised to play a critical role as a strategic shipping centre. With four deep sea berths and storage capacity already in place, the port can offer a new route – the Arctic Trade Corridor – to ship Western Canada’s critical minerals, forestry, energy and agricultural products to international markets. At the heart of Winnipeg’s logistics infrastructure is CentrePort Canada, one of North America’s largest tri-modal inland ports. Spanning 20,000 acres, CentrePort connects three Class I railroads, 24-hour international air cargo at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, the Trans-Canada Highway and many provincial highways. CentrePort is also efficient. CentrePort Canada Rail Park, a 665-acre industrial project, offers businesses direct access to CPKC’s new east-west and north-south networks, providing direct service to Mexico via the Midwest U.S. and Texas. CentrePort also provides access to CN and BNSF tracks, too. For companies doing cross-border trade, these ports offer a rare and highly-valuable advantage. CentrePort is also designated as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), which streamlines customs and tax processes for both importers and exporters. ### [Locate here](https://winnipegdev.dci-test.com/contact/#contact-form) Are you a Canadian or international company looking to invest in Winnipeg? Connect with us today\. ### [Investment\-ready sites](#) Winnipeg boasts investment\-ready and strategically\-located properties to support your business growth\. View our property listings platform here\. ### [Transportation & Distribution](https://winnipegdev.dci-test.com/do-business/sectors/transportation-distribution/) Learn more about Winnipeg’s transportation and distribution capabilities\. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is Winnipeg a transportation and logistics hub? Winnipeg is a transportation powerhouse and a vital hub for the Canadian Prairies\. The city is home to CentrePort Canada, one of North America&\#x27;s largest trimodal inland ports and Foreign Trade Zones \(FTZ\), offering 20,000 acres of high\-quality and affordable industrial land\. Strategically located along the Mid\-Continent Trade Corridor – a multi\-modal trade route running from the Arctic to Mexico – Winnipeg is just 110 km \( 68 miles\) from the U\.S\. border, providing access to a market of 100 million people within a 24\-hour drive\. Winnipeg is the only city between Thunder Bay and Vancouver with direct rail connections to the U\.S\. via three Class 1 carriers\. We are headquarters for two of Canada’s top 10 inter\-provincial trucking companies, Bison Transport and the TransX, Richardson International is \. Canada’s second\-largest cargo freighter airport per capita\. and the Port of Churchill is North America&\#x27;s only deepwater Arctic seaport serviced by rail\. ### How does Winnipeg’s location connect businesses to major Canadian and U\.S\. trade corridors? Winnipeg’s central location is key to accessing Canadian and U\.S\. markets\. Winnipeg provides easy access to major east\-west and north\-south corridors, making it one of the few places in Canada where you can reach U\.S\. markets in a timely manner\. More than 100 million consumers live within a 24\-hour drive of Winnipeg, which provides a tangible advantage in last\-mile delivery and regional distribution\. ### How can Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism Help? Winnipeg EDT provides concierge support and tailored information, to continue building a connected business community\. We promote Winnipeg around the world with the goals of attracting investment and helping businesses enter and expand in the market\. We help Winnipeg businesses grow and sustain their operations by connecting them with the right contacts, resources and data insights\.