Submitted Photo CHS SunPrairie has announced the Wiley grain shuttle facility in Lansford will add 2.5 million bushels of grain storage capacity this year.

LANSFORD — CHS SunPrairie has announced plans to add 2.5 million bushels of grain storage to its grain shuttle facility in Lansford to be completed by the end of the year.

The facility handles corn, soybeans, spring wheat and canola. It sits on a short line railroad and provides area producers with access to Pacific Northwest and eastern markets.

According to a news release, CHS is investing in the facility, locally known as the Wiley station, to improve its ability to handle corn during harvest and provide a more reliable destination for area producers.

“This project continues CHS commitment to invest in speed and space to serve our farmer-owners,” said Doug Naze, senior director of operations and general manager for CHS SunPrairie. “In 2017, the initial Wiley investment proved that velocity and speed are important to our customers and make CHS a relevant partner. This expansion continues that commitment so we can handle multiple commodities and accept grain year-round from area farmers, especially at harvest when they rely on us most.”

The Wiley grain facility currently has 900,000 bushels of storage, but will have 3.5 million bushels of grain storage after the expansion is completed.

According to the release, the expansion will add a 590,000-bushel steel bin that ties to the existing facility, an additional shipping leg and screeners, and two 1 million bushel ground bunkers with aeration. A couple drive-over conveyors capable of moving 25,000 bushels per hour will complement existing systems to help improve the time it takes to deliver grain to the facility.

Construction will likely begin this spring with a completion date tentatively slated for late this year.

“Our producer board is excited about this project,” said Eric Moberg, chair, CHS SunPrairie producer board. “The expansion at Wiley is part of our long-term plan to improve our facilities for the changing needs of our area’s farmers. We are in a region with a diverse mix of crops, primarily spring wheat, but as we see acres shift to more corn and soybeans, this project will help our growers be more fluid and move their crops to market more efficiently.”