Highway 17 Improvements are now underway as part of the Deltaport Third Berth Project. For more information please read our press release.

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) is hosting a public open house in Delta to provide the community with an update on the Deltaport Third Berth Project.

May 29, 2008 (Thursday)
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Coast Tsawwassen Inn
1665 - 56th Street
Delta, BC

VFPA staff will be available to answer questions. In addition, members of the Deltaport Third Berth Project Community Liaison Committee (DCLC) will be in attendance.

To view the most recent Deltaport Project Update newsletter click here.

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Deltaport Constructors Ltd, the marine works contractor for the Deltaport Third Berth Project, will be conducting Becker densification testing at the construction site this Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, between 9am and 5pm.

This densification testing of the berth structure rock mattress foundation is required to ensure seismic stability. The Becker test equipment will create noise similar to that caused by driving small pilings and may be noticeable to residents, particularly under clear weather conditions. The reason this work is scheduled for the weekend is related to the availability of equipment.

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VFPA has had environmental professionals monitoring the DP3 site on a regular basis to assess the spill incident area and surrounding shoreline. Field observations conducted to date have confirmed that no fish or wildlife (including coastal seabirds and waterfowl) have been affected by the incident. Scuba divers have conducted subtidal survey assessments which indicate that no oil is present on the seabed. It has been confirmed that the hydraulic oil used in the densification probe was Esso UNIVIS BIO 40. This is a non-toxic vegetable based oil with a biodegradation rate of 97% within 21 days.

VFPA has continued to monitor the shoreline, including a portion of the perimeter dike where oil sheen and emulsified oil was first sighted on March 6th. No further oil sheen has been observed. However, the on-site environmental monitor will continue to assess shoreline conditions as part of the ongoing construction monitoring program.

On Monday, March 3, 2008, a densification probe tip broke 30 feet below the surface of the water while working on the Deltaport Third Berth Project. It is estimated that 100 to 200 litres of the vegetable-based, biodegradable hydraulic oil was released at the seabed surface.

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VFPA has confirmed that the hydraulic oil used in the densification probe was a non-toxic biodegradable vegetable-based oil. No further emulsified oil or oil sheen has been observed at the project site as of March 4 at 15:00 hours and clean-up efforts have been scaled back. No fish or wildlife, including shorebirds and waterfowl, have been affected by the small volume hydraulic oil release. Shoreline surveys were conducted last night at 21:00 hrs on a falling tide and are being conducted again today on the rising tide.

On Monday, March 3, 2008, a densification probe tip broke 30 feet below the surface of the water while working on the Deltaport Third Berth Project. It is estimated that 100 to 200 litres of the vegetable-based hydraulic oil was released at the seabed surface.

VFPA will continue to monitor and assess the site to ensure that appropriate environmental mitigation is conducted.

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On Monday, March 3, 2008, at approximately 23:00 hours, a densification probe tip broke 30 feet below the surface of the water while working on the Deltaport Third Berth Project. It is estimated that 100 to 200 litres of hydraulic oil was released at the seabed surface. The release of hydraulic oil was contained and as of 10:30 hours is approaching full recovery.

The contractor immediately implemented their spill response plan. DFO and Environment Canada have been advised.

Additional shoreline clean and assessment surveys are being conducted by VFPA before declaration of response completion. Any mitigation of environmental effects as the results of the release will be developed in conjunction with DFO and Environment Canada.

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On Monday, November 12th, a barge containing equipment for the construction of the Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3) ran aground on the south side of the Robert Bank Causeway as a result of the high winds.

The barge was safely removed on November 14th. No injuries were reported and there was no damage to the barge or its contents.

In addition, the storm damaged some of the engineered structures that have been partially constructed as part of the project. Two of the eight concrete caissons that were being stored near the site were damaged and will need to be repaired in a dry dock, after they have been re-floated. The timing of this work is still being assessed. The storm also caused six of the caissons, including the two damaged ones, to settle approximately 3 - 4m and the material above their base slab projections will have to be removed before they are re-floated and moved into position in the caisson trench next year. About a dozen pieces of the incomplete sheet pile bulkhead on the north end of the expansion area have also been damaged and will need to be removed and replaced with new pieces. Some of the temporary rock protection at the north end of the existing berth was also damaged by the storm and more will have to be added to replace it.

During the same storm, a vessel destined for Deltaport dropped its anchor to assist with navigation to Berth 2 and snagged the anchor on the dredge ocean disposal line, which was not in service at that time. The anchor has been removed without damage to the ocean disposal line.

The Port and the contractor are working to repair the damage resulting from the stormy events of November 12.

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VPA is hosting a public open house in Delta to provide the community with an update on the Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3).

Date: November 24, 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Location:
Delta Town and Country
6005 Highway 17
Delta, BC

VPA staff, TSI Terminal Systems Inc. and technical consultants were will be available to answer questions. In addition, members of the Deltaport Third Berth Project Community Liaison Committee (DCLC) were will be in attendance.

The latest edition of the Deltaport Project Update newsletter is now available online.

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On Monday, November 12th, a barge containing equipment for the construction of the Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3) ran aground on the south side of the Robert Bank Causeway as a result of the high winds. Contents on the barge include an excavator, materials for operation including acetylene and oxygen tanks.

The hull of the barge has been inspected and no damage was found. Delta Fire Department responded to the incident and confirmed that all materials on-board are secure. The barge is being monitored 24-hours a day. Plans to remove the barge are underway and will need to coincide with high-tide water conditions and availability of equipment.

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Please be advised that VPA will be placing some wooden piles to densify and prevent soil movements as part of the Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3).

VPA has been using sheet pile to form the north end of the DP3 expansion area and east side of the tug basin in order to minimize the size of the tug basin and its approach channel, in accordance with the requirements of regulatory agencies. As a result of unexpectedly soft soil, VPA will need to place 100 to 200 untreated wooden piles into the soil next to the sheet pile locations in order to densify the soil and prevent movements when the sheet pile is placed.

This work is expected to begin on Monday, November 5, and continue for approximately two to four weeks. Noise impacts from the placement of the wooden piles should be insignificant because the wooden piles will be vibrated into place (in the same way the steel sheet pile is being placed), not driven. It is expected that the majority of this work will occur during normal hours with the possibility of some additional evening work.

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Marine works construction activities for the Deltaport Third Berth have been underway since January 2007 and excellent progress is being made. The project is still on schedule for completion in Fall 2009.

The first perimeter dike is now complete and infill behind the dike is well underway. Dredging of the turning and tug basins are finished and dredging of the caisson trench is nearing completion. Concrete caissons are being constructed in North Vancouver and towed by tugs to Roberts Bank, where they are being stored near the terminal until the placement and densification of the mattress rock is sufficiently complete for placement of the caissons. Construction of the tug basin is also in progress.

As part of the habitat compensation for the project, the VPA will undertake six specific projects. They include:

• Habitat enhancements along east causeway
• Log removal and salt marsh restoration (in progress at this time)
• Caisson habitat also know as fish refugia
• Construction of a subtidal rock reef
• Sand bar stabilization
• Off-site compensation to be undertaken in partnership with Ducks Unlimited and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

Click here for a recent photo of construction activities on the Deltaport Third Berth Project.

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Please read VPA's update for the most current information pertaining to the disposal of clean dredge material outside the permitted disposal location for the Deltaport Third Berth (DP3) Project.

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Please read VPA's press release for information pertaining to the Port's investigation of improper ocean disposal related to the DP3 project and BCTC transmission line.

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Vancouver Port Authority will be hosting public open houses in Delta to provide the community with an update on the Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3).

May 29, 2007 (Tuesday)
6:00 pm to 9:00pm
Coast Tsawwassen Inn
1665-56th Street
Delta, BC

May 31, 2007 (Thursday)
6:00 pm to 9:00pm
Delta Town and Country
6005 Highway 17
Delta, BC

VPA staff, TSI Terminal Systems Inc. and technical consultants will be available to answer questions. In addition, members of the Deltaport Third Berth Project Community Liaison Committee (DCLC) will be in attendance.

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At the end of April, the Scientific Advisory Committee was formed. The Scientific Advisory Committee will provide scientific and technical advice and recommendations to the port for the implementation of the Adaptive Management Strategy as part of the Deltaport Third Berth Expansion Project. For more information, please read the Scientific Advisory press release

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Please be advised that dredging for the Tug Basin and Caisson Trench will commence on March 26, 2007. Dredging work will be done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is expected to be completed by the end of July.

DP3 Marine Works Construction Schedule [PDF | 47 KB]

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For an update on the Deltaport Project, please read the Deltaport Project Update [PDF | 845 KB]

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Please be advised that the deadline for Delta residents to apply for a position on the Deltaport Third Berth Project Community Liaison Committee (DCLC) has been extended to February 19, 2007.

Please visit the DCLC section of the this web site for more information.

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To remove yourself from the project update mail list, click here.

Project Information Line: 604-665-9337
Project Email: container_expansion@vfpa.ca