The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority led the roadwork project to widen and realign Commissioner Street to the north between Nanaimo Street and Slocan Street to increase throughput, road safety and make room for Canadian Pacific (CP) to add additional rail tracks. We led this project to help support the capacity needed on the south shore to move goods and improve the road and port operations.

This project received funding in 2019 from the Government of Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) and is the second NTCF project completed by the port authority. Construction of the roadworks began in March 2021 and achieved completion in August 2022.

The project included:

• Removal of the old Columbia Containers grain elevator (completed in early 2020)
• Changes to Commissioner Street near Columbia Containers, includes shifting the road north, paving and adding a new lane (completed in November 2021)
• Construction of a retaining wall (completed in July 2021)
• Relocation of the impacted utilities including the Harbour East Interceptor (completed in July 2022)
• Future installation of additional rail tracks next to current tracks, from four tracks to six tracks starting in Q4-2022 and anticipated to finish by Q1-2024 (led by CP)

These improvements will:

• Improve port truck movements and traffic flow
• Improve access to terminal facilities for commercial traffic
• Enable safe and efficient access to port lands for employees and service providers
• Provide land for rail track expansion, supporting trade growth and increased local and national jobs

CP is leading the Commissioner Street Rail Expansion Project, which proposes to expand their existing rail infrastructure along this corridor. This project received a PER permit from the port authority in May 2022. For any questions or concerns about the project or rail operations, please visit the CP website.

Supporting the community

The project set up a community amenity to thank the community for their patience during construction. With input from the East Vancouver Port Lands (EVPL) committee, we have identified community organizations in East Vancouver that would benefit from funding. One of the funding recipients is the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre.

Project documents

Funding partners

This project was funded by the Government of Canada through the National Trade Corridors Fund, the port authority and CP.

Part of Greater Vancouver Gateway 2030.