CANAMEX Corridor
Encyclopedia
The CANAMEX corridor is a corridor linking Canada
to Mexico
through the United States
. The corridor was established under the North American Free Trade Agreement
.
Currently the corridor is defined by a series of highways. However the corridor is also proposed for use by railroads
, pipelines
and fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure.
Highway 43 continues from Dawson Creek, British Columbia
, where it links with the Alaska Highway
.
Highway 4 continues as Interstate 15 across the USA-Canada border.
United States
Mexico
Current infrastructure improvements to upgrade the non-compliant portions include the Hoover Dam Bypass along U.S. Route 93
, improvements to I-15 near Great Falls
and new freeway connections in Phoenix
.
already owns and operates rail lines paralleling Interstate 15
between Las Vegas, Nevada
and Canada as well as a rail line between Phoenix, Arizona
and Mexico
, loosely following the corridor. However there is no existing railroad directly connecting Las Vegas and Phoenix, rail traffic from these cities currently must detour through Barstow, California
.
to Utah
. However, I-15 does not pass directly from Nevada to Utah. Interstate 15 in Arizona
was omitted; but necessary for continuity. The rail line to be used by CANAMEX runs to the northwest of I-15. It does directly enter Utah from Nevada without entering Arizona. The connection is made between Beryl, Utah
and Pioche, Nevada
.
The second issue is a gap near Phoenix, Arizona
. The official designation in Arizona is Interstate 10
to U.S. Route 93 at Phoenix. However, US 93 does not enter Phoenix or connect with I-10. US 93 currently terminates at Wickenburg
northwest of Phoenix. To make this connection currently requires driving U.S. Route 60, a surface street through the western suburbs of Phoenix not compliant with the standards established by the treaty.
This, along with Hoover Dam
, were identified as bottlenecks in the corridor. Studies commenced to propose workarounds. The Hoover Dam Bypass opened in December 2010. Studies to resolve the Phoenix gap resulted in a proposal to create a compliant connection between Wickenburg and Phoenix that will involve an upgrade and extension to Arizona State Route 303.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
through the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The corridor was established under the North American Free Trade Agreement
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
.
Currently the corridor is defined by a series of highways. However the corridor is also proposed for use by railroads
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
, pipelines
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
and fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure.
States, Provinces part of the CANAMEX Corridor
Canada- AlbertaAlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
- Highway 43, Highway 16, Highway 216, Highway 2, Highway 3, Highway 4
Highway 43 continues from Dawson Creek, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, where it links with the Alaska Highway
Alaska Highway
The Alaska Highway was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon...
.
Highway 4 continues as Interstate 15 across the USA-Canada border.
United States
- MontanaMontanaMontana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
- Interstate 15 - IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
- Interstate 15 - UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
- Interstate 15 - NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
- Interstate 15, Interstate 515Interstate 515Interstate 515 is a spur of Interstate 15 that runs from the junction of I-15, US 93 and US 95 near Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada approximately southeast to Railroad Pass near the borders of Henderson and Boulder City....
, U.S. Route 93 - ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
- U.S. Route 93 , Interstate 10, Interstate 19Interstate 19Interstate 19 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Arizona. I-19 runs from Nogales, roughly 1,500 feet from the Mexican border, to Tucson, at Interstate 10...
. To make the highway drivable as a continuous route also requires the inclusion of Interstate 15, U.S. Route 60 and State Route 189Arizona State Route 189State Route 189 is a highway in Santa Cruz County, Arizona that runs from its junction with Interstate 19 to the US-Mexico Border...
, though they are not officially included.
Mexico
- SonoraSonoraSonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
- Mexico Federal Highway 15
Highway
The United States portion of the highway was established as a High Priority Corridor. The treaty establishes that the CANAMEX highway will be upgraded to at least 4 lanes along its entire length. Currently 84% of the highway in the United States is compliant, 86% of the highway in Mexico is compliant. The Canada portion was completed in 2007.Current infrastructure improvements to upgrade the non-compliant portions include the Hoover Dam Bypass along U.S. Route 93
U.S. Route 93
U.S. Route 93 is a major north–south United States highway in the western United States. The southern terminus is at U.S. Route 60 in Wickenburg, Arizona. The northern terminus is at the Canadian border north of Eureka in Lincoln County, Montana, where the roadway continues into Roosville,...
, improvements to I-15 near Great Falls
Great Falls, Montana
Great Falls is a city in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States. The population was 58,505 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Great Falls, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Cascade County...
and new freeway connections in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
.
Railroad
NAFTA also established the CANAMEX corridor for rail usage. The Union Pacific RailroadUnion Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
already owns and operates rail lines paralleling Interstate 15
Interstate 15
Interstate 15 is the fourth-longest north–south Interstate Highway in the United States, traveling through the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana from San Diego to the Canadian border...
between Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
and Canada as well as a rail line between Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, loosely following the corridor. However there is no existing railroad directly connecting Las Vegas and Phoenix, rail traffic from these cities currently must detour through Barstow, California
Barstow, California
Barstow is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 22,639 at the 2010 census, up from 21,119 at the 2000 census. Barstow is located north of San Bernardino....
.
Legislative issues
There are two discrepancies in the US definition of the CANAMEX corridor that have not yet been resolved. The first is a technicality, which states the Nevada portion of the CANAMEX corridor shall follow Interstate 15Interstate 15
Interstate 15 is the fourth-longest north–south Interstate Highway in the United States, traveling through the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana from San Diego to the Canadian border...
to Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. However, I-15 does not pass directly from Nevada to Utah. Interstate 15 in Arizona
Interstate 15 in Arizona
Interstate 15 is an Interstate Highway, running from San Diego, California, United States, to the Canadian border, through Mohave County in northwest Arizona. Despite being isolated from the rest of Arizona, in the remote Arizona Strip, and short in length at , it remains notable for its scenic...
was omitted; but necessary for continuity. The rail line to be used by CANAMEX runs to the northwest of I-15. It does directly enter Utah from Nevada without entering Arizona. The connection is made between Beryl, Utah
Beryl, Utah
Beryl is an unincorporated community in Iron County, Utah, United States. It has one school, Escalante Valley Elementary. Originally established as a Union Pacific Railroad siding, Beryl was named in 1901 after the semi-precious stone beryl found in the area....
and Pioche, Nevada
Pioche, Nevada
-External links:*...
.
The second issue is a gap near Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. The official designation in Arizona is Interstate 10
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
to U.S. Route 93 at Phoenix. However, US 93 does not enter Phoenix or connect with I-10. US 93 currently terminates at Wickenburg
Wickenburg, Arizona
Wickenburg is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 6,423.-Geography:Wickenburg is located at ....
northwest of Phoenix. To make this connection currently requires driving U.S. Route 60, a surface street through the western suburbs of Phoenix not compliant with the standards established by the treaty.
This, along with Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam, once known as Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the US states of Arizona and Nevada. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President...
, were identified as bottlenecks in the corridor. Studies commenced to propose workarounds. The Hoover Dam Bypass opened in December 2010. Studies to resolve the Phoenix gap resulted in a proposal to create a compliant connection between Wickenburg and Phoenix that will involve an upgrade and extension to Arizona State Route 303.
External links
- CANAMEX Corridor website