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Old Posted Mar 31, 2009, 9:14 PM
Pinion Pinion is offline
See ya down under, mates
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,167
Here's another article on the recent news from the North Shore News

Quote:
The North Shore is set to receive $225 million worth of infrastructure improvements to its ports, rail and roadways in order to bolster the community's role in the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

The funding, announced Friday by Stockwell Day, federal Minister of International Trade and the Asia Pacific Gateway and Premier Gordon Campbell, will go toward five major projects aimed at enhancing the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

"Most commodities imported and exported on the North Shore are directly related to trade with the Asia-Pacific region," Day said in a statement. "Improving transportation infrastructure in this area will create jobs in the community and strengthen Canada's competitive position in international commerce."

The new partnership will see $75 million in federal funds, $62 million from the provincial government and $49.2 million from Port Metro Vancouver.

TransLink is also set to make a $5 million contribution, while the City of North Vancouver has committed $2.7 million and the District of North Vancouver $5.6 million to the project. CN Rail and CP Rail have collectively contributed $23.7 million and supporting terminal operators committed $2.5 million.

"This is an excellent example of how building for the future with sustainable growth can be realized through co-operation among all levels of government and the private sector, said Robin Silvester of Port Metro Vancouver. "As an integral part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway, the North Shore trade area will not only result in significant community and environmental benefits, it will enhance the economic development throughout the region."

According to a release provided by the provincial government, the funding will be split among five major projects:

- A $25.5-million modification of the Brooksbank underpass to accommodate several additional rail tracks necessary for port terminal expansion plans and enable increased rail capacity. Access to Harbourview Park south of the rail tracks will be protected.

- Neptune/Cargill grade separation to eliminate the existing at-grade crossing in the vicinity of Low Level Road and East Third Street in the City of North Vancouver that provides access to the Neptune and Cargill terminals. The $48.3-million project is intended to facilitate rail movements, reduce rail whistle noise and improve road access for workers and emergency services.

- Realignment of Low Level Road, which would realign and elevate the existing Low Level Road to accommodate two new rail tracks essential to port expansion. The 1.5-kilometre, $59.2-million project will address drainage and slope stability issues, reduce train-switching noise, and provide separation between road and rail corridors to improve road safety and security. The realignment should also facilitate construction of the North Shore Spirit Trail.

- A $42.7-million Pemberton Avenue grade separation to provide an overpass across the CN rail line, replacing the existing Pemberton Avenue and Phillip Avenue at-grade crossings. The project should provide traffic relief to a projected 6,500 vehicles per day by 2021. The move should also reduce noise pollution in the local community while allowing the CNR to operate longer trains. Road connections to industries lying south of the rail tracks will also be improved.

- Extension of the lower level route to Marine Drive at an estimated cost of $86.8 million, though only $50 million has been confirmed. Extension of the lower level route from Garden Avenue to Marine Drive near Park Royal Shopping Centre in the District of West Vancouver should provide a two-lane road, including a new bridge over the Capilano River. The project should provide significant traffic relief to the Marine Drive approach to the Lions Gate Bridge.

Some of the projects announced, particularly expansion of the Lower Level Road, were top priorities identified by business leaders at the North Shore Economic Summit organized by the North Shore Chamber of Commerce in February.

At the time, chamber president Naomi Yamamoto called for improvements to transportation infrastructure to better the links between North and West Vancouver and provide jobs in the dwindling economy.

According to government documents, the North Shore handled more than 35 per cent of the cargo coming through the Port of Vancouver in 2007. The cargo was valued at more than $7.7 billion. The same document states North Shore terminals generate an estimated 12,300 jobs in the province, earning more than $600 million in wages each year.
http://www2.canada.com/northshorenew...48c1941824&p=1

Is this going to affect the road through the reservation at all? I'd assume so if there's going to be a new bridge over the Capliano. I drive that road to get anywhere and that intersection in the reserve is the only thing stopping it from being a super fast route.
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