GARY – Canadian National Railway has announced plans to move a portion of its operations to Gary’s Kirk Yard from Markham, Ill. The shift could bring more than 250 jobs to the region.

CN said it expects to invest more than $160 million in Gary to expand the rail yard and construction of a locomotive maintenance building.

Gov. Mitch Daniels made the announcement. “Whether it’s bringing dollars back from overseas or right from next door, finding new investments and jobs is always job one for us.”

Jim Vena, senior vice president of CN, said, “Our Kirk Yard improvements will mean significant improvements in efficiency and productivity creating new capacity for growth in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana.”

The project was made possible with $2.95 million in performance-based tax credits from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and $250,000 in training grants.