Three new overpasses improve traffic and expand capacity of Roberts Bank Rail Corridor

Lower Mainland overpasses completed at 54th Ave, 196th St. and 232nd St.

LANGLEY-SURREY BORDER, BC, June 6, 2014 /CNW/ - The completion of three important Asia-Pacific Gateway projects along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) was celebrated today by federal and local partners.

Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley, B.C., represented the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, and was joined by other partners who contributed to the project, including B.C. Education Minister and MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood Peter Fassbender; Robin Silvester, President and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver; Councillor Mary Martin on behalf of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts; Acting Mayor Ted Schaffer of the City of Langley; and Acting Mayor Bev Dornan on behalf of Mayor Jack Froese of the Township of Langley, along with other RBRC project stakeholders.

Construction has finished on three road/rail overpasses at 54th Avenue, 196th Street, and 232nd Street, which will help to ease traffic congestion through the City of Surrey, the City of Langley and the Township of Langley.  The project will also improve road safety, and increase the rail capacity of the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

The overpasses will improve the flow of traffic and shipments through the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor, increase trade with the Asia-Pacific region and enhance the security and environmental sustainability of the transportation system, as well as the quality of life of neighboring residents.

These Robert's Bank Rail Corridor projects have been made possible through the collaboration of multiple partners including the Government of Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, the Province of British Columbia, Port Metro Vancouver, Canadian Pacific Railway, the City of Surrey, the City of Langley and the Township of Langley.

Quick Facts

• Construction of the three road/rail overpasses at 54th Avenue, 196th Street, and 232nd Street began in 2012 and was completed on time and within budget.
• The total cost of these three projects is approximately $110.4 million with a federal government contribution of $30.2 million under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund. This is part of the Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) and focuses on infrastructure projects.
• The APGCI aims to make Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway the best transportation network for facilitating global supply chains between North America and Asia.
• To date, the Government of Canada has invested approximately $1.4 billion in APGCI infrastructure projects, in partnership with all four western provinces, municipalities and the private sector, for a total project value of approximately $3.5 billion.
• The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Program includes nine road and rail improvement projects, funded by an unprecedented partnership between 12 agencies representing local, regional, provincial, and federal governments as well as the private sector.
• Total funding for the nine RBRC projects is $307 million with a federal contribution of $75 million.
• The 70-kilometre RBRC connects Deltaport Terminal at Roberts Bank in Delta, British Columbia, with North America's entire rail network.
• To date, five of a total nine RBRC projects have been completed.
• The overpasses at 54^th Avenue and 196^th Street are part of a larger "Combo Project" designed to improve traffic circulation at rail crossings in a particularly congested section of the City of Langley. The final component of this project, a railway overpass at 192^nd street, is scheduled for completion later in 2014.

Quotes

"By working with our partners, we have delivered on infrastructure projects that will improve the flow of local road and rail traffic, decrease greenhouse gas emissions throughout British Columbia's Lower Mainland, and increase Canada's competitiveness in markets throughout the Asia Pacific Region.

World-class infrastructure is the backbone of our country's economic productivity. That is why our government is committed to investing in Canada's infrastructure through the New Building Canada Plan, the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in our nation's history."

Mark Warawa
Member of Parliament for Langley, BC

"The completion of this significant component of the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Project will improve traffic flow in the region and between Deltaport and Highway 1 in Langley, making it more efficient for trade, motorists and cyclists. The Corridor is a critical part of the Pacific Gateway transportation network, providing better routes to and from our ports; and supporting the Province's commitment to international trade which is a key component of the BC Jobs plan that is creating jobs across B.C."

Peter Fassbender
B.C.'s Minister of Education and MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood

"Port Metro Vancouver is always looking for ways to balance growing demand for trade with the need to protect our environment and maintain the quality of life of our neighbours. The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program, and the three new overpasses highlighted today, will improve the safety and efficiency of both the road and rail networks in communities through which rail traffic travels to and from Port terminals, while increasing capacity in support of growing demand for Canadian trade."

Robin Silvester
President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver

"The City of Surrey is proud to be a partner in the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program. The infrastructure investments are critical for strengthening the role of the region as an Asia-Pacific Gateway for international trade. This program will also make it easier and safer for drivers, transit users, cyclists and pedestrians to get around Surrey, Langley, and Delta, by reducing traffic congestion and improving connections for residents, businesses and visitors."

Dianne Watts
Mayor of the City of Surrey

"Infrastructure investments have long-term impacts on economic growth and quality of life. Direct benefits to local residents include an enhanced transportation network, shorter emergency response times and substantial traffic relief to existing congested corridors."

Ted Schaffer
Acting Mayor of the City of Langley

"We are a busy, growing community and these new overpasses will make it much easier to get around the Township of Langley and the region. I am pleased that these much needed initiatives have been completed and that people and goods can move more quickly and safely on our roads." 

Jack Froese
Mayor of the Township of Langley

"The trade supportive infrastructure now coming on line helps us provide more timely and efficient service for our customers. It is the outcome of a unique partnership between industry and government and it has achieved real results."

Keith Creel
Canadian Pacific Railway President and Chief Operating Officer

Related Products

• Backgrounder - Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Improvements
• Archived News Release - Easing congestion in Surrey and Langley will boost Asia-Pacific Gateway's competitive advantage (October 19, 2012)
• Archived News Release and Backgrounder - Roberts Bank Rail Corridor upgrades benefit communities, boost Asia-Pacific trade (September 16, 2011)

Associated Links

• Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative: asiapacificgateway.gc.ca
• Translink website on the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor: robertsbankrailcorridor.ca

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Ashley Kelahear
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

Robert Adam
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250-356-8241

John Parker-Jervis
Media & Government Affairs Advisor
Port Metro Vancouver
604-665-9267

Oliver Lum
Communications Manager, Office of the Mayor
City of Surrey
604-591-4519

Christie Judson
Communications Officer
City of Langley
604-514-2823

Erin Brocklehurst
Corporate Media Liaison
Township of Langley
604-533-6122

Ed Greenberg
Canadian Pacific Railway Media Relations
612-849-4717

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