Vancouver, BC - The Vancouver Port Authority has announced it will contribute up to $50 million toward road and rail grade separated crossings in communities along the Roberts Bank rail corridor, the rail line that services the Deltaport container terminal and Westshore coal terminal.

"The Port of Vancouver's investment in these grade separations will reduce traffic congestion at rail crossings, enhance safety and reduce noise pollution by eliminating the need to sound train whistles at these crossings," said Captain Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Port Authority. "This is an unprecedented financial contribution by the Vancouver Port Authority and a signal of our commitment to mitigate the impacts of port-related growth on communities."

The Roberts Bank Road/Rail Interface Study has identified approximately $300 million in grade separation and rail improvements to be funded by the Vancouver Port Authority, federal and provincial governments, Translink and the railways, with municipalities being asked to contribute toward projects of primary interest to them.

"Under the leadership of ministers Cannon, Emerson and Falcon, the federal and provincial governments have been instrumental in making this project a reality. The federal government has provided tremendous stewardship in the development of this complex initiative, while both governments have also made substantial financial commitments," said Sarah Morgan-Silvester, Chair of the Vancouver Port Authority's board of directors.

The Port of Vancouver's contribution will be directed at nine grade separations in the vicinity of:

- 41B Street, Delta
- 80th Street, Delta
- 152nd Street, Surrey
- 168th Street, Surrey
- 192nd Street, Surrey
- 54th Avenue, Surrey
- 196th Street, Surrey/Langley
- Mufford Crescent/64th Avenue, Langley
- 232nd Street, Langley

Delta will see two additional crossings addressed separately from the port's investment, but as part of the proposed South Fraser Perimeter Road Project.

Additional information about the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Access Study is available from Transport Canada's website.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading more than $53 billion in goods with more than 100 trading economies annually. Port activities generate 69,200 jobs in total with $4 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $8.9 billion in economic output.

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For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin,
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
(604) 665-9069 (office)
(604) 665-9073 (fax)
(778) 231-6978 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com

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