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Old Posted Mar 28, 2009, 1:47 AM
amor de cosmos amor de cosmos is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: lodged against an abutment
Posts: 7,556
this is actually a bigger announcement than I thought it was. maybe it won't get a lot of attention because it doesn't have much to do with the Port Mann Bridge or South Fraser Perimeter Rd:

Quote:
March 27, 2009
Office of the Premier
Government of Canada

CANADA, BC, PARTNERS DELIVER NEW INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

VANCOUVER – The Government of Canada, The Province of British Columbia, Port Metro Vancouver, TransLink, local municipalities, and the private sector are partnering to invest in excess of $225 million in five infrastructure improvements on the North Shore that will enhance rail and port operations and build Canada’s Pacific Gateway.

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Premier Gordon Campbell, joined key stakeholders in Vancouver to announce funding for projects along the North Shore of Burrard Inlet.

“The Government of Canada is proud to commit up to $75 million to these infrastructure projects along Burrard Inlet’s North Shore through Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative,” said Day. “Most commodities imported and exported on the North Shore are directly related to trade with the Asia-Pacific region. Improving transportation infrastructure in this area will create jobs in the community and strengthen Canada’s competitive position in international commerce.”

“Our commitment of $62 million to these projects builds on the $15 billion in improvements Pacific Gateway partners are already funding to make Canada’s Pacific Gateway the gateway of choice for Asia-Pacific shippers,” said Premier Campbell. “The North Shore is a growing centre for trade and economic activity here in B.C. Through these investments we are improving access to ports and railways, and moving to seize job-creation opportunities as we strengthen our trading connections overseas.”

“This is an excellent example of how building for the future with sustainable growth can be realized through cooperation among all levels of government and the private sector,” said Port Metro Vancouver president and CEO Robin Silvester. “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 economic development throughout the region.”

“TransLink’s contribution to road improvements in the North Shore Trade Area are totally in line with our ongoing program to fund and manage Metro Vancouver’s major arterial road network in a way that promotes efficient goods movement and sustains a healthy economy in our region,” said TransLink Chief Executive Officer Tom Prendergast.

“CN is pleased to be part of this comprehensive initiative to enhance the movement of goods through the North Shore Trade Area,” said Jim Vena, senior vice-president, Western Canada. “These projects, combined with CN’s ongoing investments in its own equipment and facilities, will help make the Pacific Gateway an even more competitive option for the movement of freight into and out of North America”

“Canadian Pacific is pleased to partner in the revitalization of Vancouver’s North Shore Trade Area, enhancing the long-term viability of Canadian potash, coal, grain, and other bulk exports,” said Jane O’Hagan, senior vice-president of Strategy and Yield. “This is an excellent example of government and the private sector working together to increase our global competitiveness through a world class port.”

“On behalf of the North Shore Trade Area terminals, I applaud the governments for their leadership in facilitating the improvement of the North Shore rail corridor,” said Jim Belsheim, president of Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd. “These projects reflect the importance of bulk and breakbulk exports, which are fundamental to the future economic health of Western Canada and Canada as a whole.”

“The City is very pleased to continue support of our waterfront industries through a project that will deliver significant operating efficiencies and capacity increases for those industries and economic development opportunities for Port Metro Vancouver and we are proud of the contribution that the City of North Vancouver is able to make to improve Canada’s economic capacity,” said Mayor Darrell Mussatto.

“North Vancouver District is pleased to be working closely in partnership with other levels of government, the rail companies, Port and industry on both the Brooksbank underpass and Pemberton overpass projects to achieve economic and social benefits for our waterfront businesses and the community,” said Mayor Richard Walton.

In addition to the projects announced today, Transport Canada continues to work with public and private stakeholders, including the Province of British Columbia, to advance other transportation improvement projects at the western end of the North Shore of Burrard Inlet.

On Oct. 11, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen 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. In two years, the Government of Canada has partnered with British Columbia and other western provinces, municipalities and the private sector, to announce strategic infrastructure projects worth more than $2.4 billion, including federal contributions of almost $900 million.

The Province of B.C. has partnered with public and private sector agencies to expand, upgrade and promote an integrated network of seaports, airports, railways, roadways and border crossings as Canada’s Pacific Gateway. Together, in total value, all partners are investing $15 billion in improvements to make B.C. the gateway of choice for Asia-Pacific shippers.

For more information about Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, please visit www.apgci.gc.ca online.

For more information about British Columbia: Canada’s Pacific Gateway, please visit www.th.gov.bc.ca/PacificGateway/index.htm online.
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_rele...058-000553.htm

details & descriptions from the backgrounder:

Quote:
March 27, 2009
Office of the Premier
Government of Canada

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN THE NORTH SHORE

The North Shore Trade Area provides a critical connection to overseas markets for export products and handles over 35 per cent of all cargo volume through the Port of Vancouver with a value of over $7.7 billion in 2007. Currently, the North Shore terminals are estimated to generate about 12,300 direct and indirect jobs in British Columbia, earning over $600 million in wages annually. In 2008, terminal operators and railways in the City and District of North Vancouver paid approximately $10 million in municipal taxes.

In this context, the governments of Canada and B.C. worked with various public and private stakeholders on the North Shore Trade Area Study, which was completed in Fall 2008. The study’s findings were used as the basis for developing an implementation plan that includes a package of transportation infrastructure projects along Burrard Inlet on the North Shore.

INDIVIDUAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BEING ADVANCED

Project: Brooksbank Avenue Underpass
Location: City of North Vancouver/District of North Vancouver
Approximate Project Cost: $25.5 million
Delivery Agency: Port Metro Vancouver
Description: The Brooksbank Avenue Underpass project consists of modifying the underpass to accommodate several additional rail tracks necessary for port terminal expansion plans. The project would enable increased rail capacity. Access to Harbourview Park south of the rail tracks will be protected.

Project: Neptune/Cargill Grade Separation
Location: City of North Vancouver
Approximate Project Cost: $48.3 million
Delivery Agency: Port Metro Vancouver
Description: The Neptune/Cargill Grade Separation will eliminate the existing at-grade crossing in the vicinity of Low Level Road and 3rd Street East that provides access to the Neptune and Cargill terminals. This project will facilitate rail movements, reduce rail whistle noise, and improve road access for workers and emergency services.

Project: Low Level Road Realignment
Location: City of North Vancouver
Approximate Project Cost: $59.2 million
Delivery Agency: TransLink
Description: Realigning and elevating the existing Low Level Road will accommodate two new rail tracks essential to port terminal expansion. This 1.5-km project will address drainage and slope stability issues, reduce train-switching noise, and provide separation between road and rail corridors that will improve road safety and port security. This realignment will also facilitate construction of the North Shore Spirit Trail multi-use pathway.

Project: Pemberton Avenue Grade Separation
Location: District of North Vancouver
Approximate Project Cost: $42.7 million
Delivery Agency: District of North Vancouver
Description: The Pemberton Avenue Grade Separation will provide an overpass across the Canadian National Railway rail line, replacing the existing Pemberton Avenue and Philip Avenue at-grade crossings. This will provide traffic relief to a projected 6,500 vehicles per day (by 2021) and reduce noise pollution in the local community while allowing Canadian National Railway to operate longer trains. The road connection to industries south of the rail tracks will also be improved.

Project: Western Lower Level Route Extension to Marine Drive
Location: District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Squamish First Nations Land
Approximate Project Cost: $86.8 million ($50 million in funding committed)
Delivery Agency: to be determined once all funding is confirmed
Description: Extension of the Low Level Route from Garden Avenue to Marine Drive near Park Royal Shopping Centre. This two-lane road, which includes a new bridge over the Capilano River, will provide significant traffic relief to Marine Drive at the Lions Gate bridgehead. The Province of British Columbia has committed $25 million in funding for this project. The Government of Canada is in discussions with the Squamish First Nation and other stakeholders regarding this project.

These projects will enhance rail and port operations and accommodate anticipated growth in rail and road traffic, while providing local quality of life and environmental benefits, including:
  • Reduced congestion on the local road network.
  • Increased employment on the North Shore and throughout the Lower Mainland.
  • Enhanced support for Canadian forestry, mining and agriculture sectors who export through North Shore terminals.
  • Reduced noise pollution, such as train whistles at road/rail crossings and rail shunting.
  • Expanded terminal facilities that will increase provincial and municipal tax revenues.
  • Improved access to terminal facilities for commercial traffic.
  • More efficient rail operations and capacity to accommodate anticipated trade growth.
  • Enhanced access to emergency service providers (police, fire, ambulance).
  • Increased capacity for public projects such as the Spirit Trail multi-use pathway.
& it goes on & on, including a list of the private-sector investments that will be possible with the implementation of these 5 projects:
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_rele...ttachment1.htm
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