No. GC 016/07
For release May 11, 2007
SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA - The Honourable David Emerson
, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the
Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, today announced
$491.7 million
in funding for 10 strategic infrastructure projects for the Asia-Pacific
Gateway and Corridor Initiative. This investment will contribute significantly
to Canada's competitiveness in the rapidly changing world of global commerce.
"We've made tremendous progress on the Initiative in the past year. With 10
projects set to get underway, we're showing Canadian and international companies
that we're committed to establishing the Asia-Pacific Gateway as the link
between North America and Asia," said Minister Emerson. "We've chosen projects
that will benefit the communities and upgrade local infrastructure."
Canada's New Government has committed over $1 billion
to the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, with $800 million
going to projects in British Columbia. Of the 10 projects announced today, six
will be in British Columbia, in recognition of its strategic geographical
location as the entry and exit point for trade traffic between Asia and North
America. Projects include road/rail separations and highway and intersection
improvements. Four other projects in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will
also receive funding. Details on these projects will be announced at a later
date.
"The world's economic power is shifting to the Asia-Pacific and it is
important we make significant investments in B.C.'s transportation
infrastructure if we are to take full advantage of our geographical position as
Canada's Pacific Gateway," said British Columbia Premier, Gordon Campbell. "With
today's announcement we are one step closer to capturing the benefits that will
flow from increased trade and investment with the economies of the Asia-Pacific.
These benefits will provide opportunities across Canada and I want to thank the
federal government for partnering with us to further develop our plan to open
transportation networks across British Columbia."
"The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is a national project that
will provide economic benefits for all Canadians," added Minister Emerson. "Our
hard work is being noticed by the international community and we need to
continue with this momentum. Our government will continue to work with the
provinces and with stakeholders to realize our vision for the Gateway."
The Prime Minister launched the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative
in October 2006. Progress has already been made in construction, planning,
project selection, port amalgamation, policy development, technology
application, international cooperation and marketing.
For more information about Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor
Initiative, please visit
www.apgci.gc.ca.
A backgrounder highlighting details of the six British Columbia
announced today is attached.
-30-
Contacts:Jennifer Chiu
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the
Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, Ottawa
613-371-1557
Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier of
British Columbia, Victoria
250-213-8218
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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Backgrounders
STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS UNDER THE ASIA-PACIFIC GATEWAY AND CORRIDOR INITIATIVE
The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor is a network of transportation infrastructure
including B.C.'s Lower Mainland and Prince Rupert ports, their principal road
and rail connections stretching across Western Canada and south to the United
States, key border crossings, and major Canadian airports. The network serves
all of Canada and the initiative aims to take advantage of Canada's strategic
location, at the crossroads between the North American marketplace and the
booming economies of Asia.
On October 11, 2006, Prime Minister Harper
announced the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor
Initiative (APGCI
) with an initial investment of $591 million
. A further commitment of $410 million was made in Budget 2007, bringing total federal
funding for the APGCI
to more than $1 billion
. The APGCI
is a long-term effort,
focusing on infrastructure, policy, governance and operational issues together
in one multi-modal, system-based, public-private strategy.
In an era of rapidly moving and integrated global supply chains, policies and
investments must consider entire transportation systems-systems that connect,
for example, Asia with North America's economic heartland. In this context,
making the right investments anywhere along the system benefits all who rely on
it, and not just those in jurisdictions where dollars are invested.
The Government of Canada's contributions to APGCI
projects will improve the transportation system by:
increasing
transportation capacity;
reducing congestion
at key locations for Asia-Pacific trade;
improving connections
between modes; and
enhancing its
efficiency, safety and security.
These improvements to transportation infrastructure are also being pursued with a view
to enhancing the quality of life in communities along the Corridor, especially
in the more densely populated areas of the B.C. Lower Mainland.
The Government of Canada's investments will continue to promote increased
investments by the private sector and other public sector partners to ensure
efficient and seamless connections between the various modes of transportation
and improve traffic flows for international cargo.
PROJECTS FUNDED IN 2006
As part of
the $591 million
initially announced in October 2006 for the APGCI, $321 million
was invested in immediate measures. These include:
Pitt River Bridge and
Mary Hill Interchange ($90 million);
Roberts Bank Rail
Corridor: Road/Rail Grade Separations ($50 million);
South Fraser
Perimeter Road ($102 million);
Twinning of the Trans
Canada Highway in Banff National Park ($37 million); and
Intelligent
Transportation Systems Deployment (Regional Transportation Management Centre)
($2 million).
PROJECTS ANNOUNCED IN MAY 2007
The following projects were evaluated through a system-based selection process using
detailed criteria concerning international trade volumes and multi-modal system
efficiency. The projects will be implemented through cost-shared contribution
agreements with the proponents. The federal contribution to all May 2007
projects is conditional on all partners providing agreed funding and meeting all
applicable federal and provincial requirements, including environmental
assessments, regulatory approvals, completion of due diligence, contribution
agreements and final federal project approvals.
1. Roberts Bank Rail Corridor: Road/Rail Grade Separations
Location: Lower Mainland of B.C.
Total Project Cost: $300 million
APGCI
contribution: $75 million ($50 million already announced in October 2006)
Description:
The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor links the Deltaport Container Terminal and the
Westshore Coal Terminal to the B.C. Interior and the rest of Canada. A study
commissioned by Transport Canada with stakeholder partners (the Vancouver Port
Authority; the Province of British Columbia; TransLink; affected municipalities;
Canadian Pacific Railway; Canadian National Railway; BC Rail; and the Greater
Vancouver Gateway Council) focused on the rail corridor west of Mission Bridge
to Roberts Bank. This study was completed in February 2007 and identified 10
road/rail crossings as candidates for grade separations. The objective of this
project is to proceed with a total investment of over $300 million along the
entire corridor, which would include nine road/rail grade separations and rail
line upgrades.
The number of grade separations to be built will depend on additional funding from other
stakeholders. Negotiations are underway with the municipalities, railways, the
Vancouver Port Authority, the Province of British Columbia, and TransLink to
confirm the level of their financial contribution.
Benefit to the APGCI
:
The grade separations will allow for more efficient rail operations and enhance the
quality of life of residents along the rail corridor.
2. South Fraser Perimeter Road
Location: Lower Mainland of B.C.
Proponent: B.C. Ministry of Transportation
Total Project Cost: $1.070 billion
APGCI
contribution: $365 million ($102 million already announced in October 2006)
Description:
The South Fraser Perimeter Road, as proposed by the Province of British Columbia,
is a new 40-kilometre
, four-lane, 80-kilometre-per-hour expressway along the
south side of the Fraser River. It extends from Deltaport Way in southwest Delta
to Highway 1 and Highway 15 (176th Street) and the Golden Ears Bridge in
Surrey/Langley, which is currently under construction. The road would link
primary Gateway facilities such as the Vancouver Port Authority's Deltaport
Container Terminal, the Fraser River Port Authority's Fraser Surrey Docks,
Canadian National's intermodal freight terminal and numerous industrial
facilities.
Benefit to the APGCI:
The South Fraser Perimeter Road will provide a designated east-west truck route that will
enhance freight movement and reduce impacts on municipal road networks.
3. North Fraser Perimeter Road: United Boulevard Extension
Location: Lower Mainland of B.C.
Proponent:TransLink
Total Project Cost: $165 million
APGCI
contribution: $65 million
Description:
The North Fraser Perimeter Road: United Boulevard Extension project is an
extension of an existing four-lane roadway to replace a current one/two-lane
section. It also includes the construction of a four-lane overpass over the
CPR/BNSF rail line, a four-lane bridge across the Brunette River, and an
interchange at Brunette Avenue.
Benefit to the APGCI
:
This project will enhance connections between ports and the CPR intermodal freight
terminal, improve rail system reliability and efficiency, and reduce delays due
to congestion at grade crossings.
4. Transportation Management Centre and Smart Corridors Strategy
Location:
Lower Mainland of B.C.
Proponent:
B.C. Ministry of Transportation and TransLink
Total Project Cost: $15 million
APGCI contribution: $7 million
($2 million already announced in October 2006)
Description:
In 2006, the Government of Canada committed an initial $2 million under the APGCI for the planning work for a Transportation Management Centre for the B.C. Lower
Mainland. Additional funding is now committed for construction and for the
development of a Smart Corridors Strategy to guide the deployment of a range of
technology-based systems. These systems will improve the movement of people and
goods in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, where more and more international freight is
moving.
Benefit to the APGCI:
The
Centre will act as a multi-agency coordination facility to monitor and share
traffic conditions on the major highway networks and the transit system, with a
specific objective of improving the international and inter-provincial flow of
goods.
5. Improvements to the Chester Road and Cliveden Avenue Intersection and Derwent
Way Left Turn Lanes
Location:
Delta, B.C.
Proponent:
Corporation of Delta
Total Project Cost:
$1.61
million
APGCI contribution:
$
0.73
million
Description:
Improvements will be made to facilitate truck movements on Annacis Island at two
intersections, namely Chester Road/Derwent Way as well as Chester Road/Cliveden
Avenue.
Benefit to the APGCI:
This project will improve the efficiency of the road network serving a
significant Gateway facility (Container World).
6. Westminster Highway and Nelson Road widening
Location:
Richmond, B.C.
Proponent:
City of Richmond
Total Project Cost:
$9.44 million
APGCI contribution:
$4.72 million
Description:
Widening
Nelson Road (Blundell Road to Westminster Highway) and Westminster Highway
(Nelson Road to McMillan Way) to four lanes, along with upgrading the associated
traffic signals will increase road capacities to the Fraser River Port Richmond
properties sites.
Benefit to the APGCI:
This project will improve the efficiency of the road serving gateway facilities, such as
Coast 2000 Terminals, HBC Logistics and Westran.
May 2007
