The Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal is sharing information on behalf of Canadian National Railway (CN) regarding their 2025 Right-of-Way Vegetation Management Program, which will take place between April and October.

Each year, CN is required to manage vegetation along its rail lines in accordance with Transport Canada regulations. These efforts are essential for maintaining railway safety, including reducing fire risks, preserving clear sightlines at crossings, and allowing for efficient track inspections.

What you need to know
The track infrastructure is composed of two main sections, the 24-foot ballast section (which is primarily gravel and supports the track structure) and the right of way portion (which is the area outside of the ballast section to the CN property boundary).

CN uses a combination of mechanical (mowing and cutting) and chemical (herbicide) methods to manage vegetation. Chemical applications are focused primarily on the 24-foot gravelled ballast area and areas around signals and communication equipment, which are critical for safe railway operations.

A qualified contractor, Davey Tree Expert Company of Canada, will conduct the herbicide applications. Herbicides used are approved by Health Canada and provincial authorities.

CN ensures all setback requirements are met in the vicinity of homes, aquatic environments, and municipal water supplies.

A full list of herbicides that may be used can be found at www.cn.ca/vegetation.  You can view the public notice.

Community inquiries and requests
All inquiries, weed notices and spray requests should be sent to the CN Public Inquiry Line and mention if this is operating or non operating lands.  Submissions received after June 1 will be considered for the 2026 program.

Stay informed
For the most current schedule of vegetation management in our area and across the network, visit CN's website.

The Township will continue to share updates as they become available and encourages residents to reach out directly to CN with any questions or concerns.

For any questions or more information, please contact the CN Public Inquiry Line by telephone at 1-888-888-5909.