Pitt Meadows Road and Rail Improvements Project

Upcoming engagement

Phase two: Kennedy Road overpass engagement now closed.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the proposed design for the Kennedy Road overpass and ideas for remote engagement during the phase two, part one engagement.
We will share the results from this phase of engagement in September 2020.

Phase two engagement for Harris Road will be this fall.

Contact us

Email: [email protected]

Procurement opportunities

Click here for more information about procurement opportunities for contractors and design consultants.

Pitt Meadows is home to two of the busiest rail crossings in the lower mainland. The Pitt Meadows Road and Rail Improvement project will aim to eliminate the rail crossings at Harris Road and Kennedy Road. Currently, these crossings are blocked each day by moving trains for an average of:

One hour and 45 minutes at Kennedy Road
Three hours and 30 minutes at Harris Road

Our goal is to mitigate the impacts of growing rail and port trade traffic on Pitt Meadows. These changes will improve safety and community access by creating more reliable travel times and better emergency response options.

The project includes:

A new four-lane underpass at the Canadian Pacific (CP) main rail line crossing at Harris Road
A new two-lane overpass at the main rail line entrance to CP’s Vancouver Intermodal Facility, replacing the level rail crossing at Kennedy Road
An extension of one of CP’s existing rail tracks, which serves the Intermodal Facility

The port authority is now focusing on working with Indigenous groups, municipalities and other stakeholders to undertake technical studies and engagement, advance project design and plan for project construction.

Photo of Harris Road today

Rendering of underpass at Harris Road, final design still to be determined

Project benefits

The port authority has a positive track record of delivering high-quality projects based on best practices in environmental sustainability, environmental protection, and engagement. Anticipated benefits of this project include:

	Improved public safety Reduces risk of collisions between trains and people walking, cycling and driving.		Reduced congestion Improves mobility for local residents and more efficient goods movement.
	Better emergency response Allows first police, fire, and ambulance to get to incidents faster and more easily		Reduced GHG emissions Elimination of wait times for vehicles at train crossings means reduced emissions and reduced energy requirements.
	More reliable commute times Improves reliability of roads because they will not be blocked by rail traffic.		Increased job opportunities Growth in trade means growth in local jobs.
	Reduced noise Separating the crossings allows for reduced noise as the bells at crossing gates will no longer be required.		Accommodating trade growth Increasing capacity to move Canadian products to foreign markets, and foreign products to Canadian consumers, safely and more efficiently

The port authority will also work with the local community and Indigenous groups to identify opportunities for:

Public space improvements
Create public space improvements such as inclusion of Indigenous cultural recognition, public art, integration of native species in landscaping plans, etc.

Improved connections for walking and cycling
Enhance walking and cycling facilities associated with the crossings.

Project partner roles

Successfully delivering this project will require strong collaboration with the City of Pitt Meadows, local Indigenous groups, and CP, and we will be working closely with them to ensure the project addresses their particular needs.

This project has three partners:

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
The port authority is providing overall project management and ensuring best practice in engagement and environmental protection.

Canadian Pacific (CP)
CP owns and operates the Vancouver Intermodal Facility located in Pitt Meadows. CP plans to extend an existing track leading into and out the Vancouver Intermodal Facility. They are providing funding to the project. Learn more about CP.

City of Pitt Meadows
The City of Pitt Meadows is collaborating with the port authority and CP to ensure the project meets the needs of the community and has agreed to owning and maintaining the Kennedy Road overpass and the public serving portions of the Harris Road underpass (not the structure supporting the rail tracks) when complete. The city is also helping to secure a new location for the Hoffmann and Son Machine Shop and the Old General Store.

Timeline

The below timeline shows historical events as well as the project’s anticipated timeline. Dates subject to change.

2017 – Project submitted to the National Trade Corridors Fund for funding
2018 – Early public engagement held in Pitt Meadows on the future of transportation in the city
2018 – The Government of Canada grants funding to design and build the project through the National Trade Corridors Fund
October 21- November 22, 2019 – First phase of public engagement
July 7-28, 2020 – Interim engagement – Kennedy Road overpass
Fall 2020 – Second phase of public engagement – Harris Road underpass
Winter 2020-2021 – Final phase of public engagement
2021 – Final project approval
2021 – Construction anticipated to begin
2024 – Anticipated project completion

We acknowledge that while port-related developments may provide local, regional, and national benefits, they may also have potential impacts on those who live, work or operate in and around port areas.

Our approach to public consultation is based on two-way communication and open dialogue, working together to ensure the community, the environment and the economy are all considered during project planning.

Phase two engagement, part one: Kennedy Road (July 7-28, 2020)

This summer and fall, we are inviting those who live, work, and play in Pitt Meadows to participate in updates and engagement about the Pitt Meadows Road and Rail Improvements Project.

The need to practice physical distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 prevents us from hosting an in-person engagement this summer. Instead, we will host an interim engagement period that will be done remotely starting July 7, 2020, during which we will share updates on the Kennedy Road overpass while we continue to progress draft designs for Harris Road and noise mitigation options. We will also seek feedback from the community on how to best engage remotely and safely for a more in-depth engagement session about the project this fall.

Phase two engagement, part one: Kennedy Road (July 7 to 28, 2020)

Report back on guiding principles
Kennedy Road draft designs
Preferences for remote engagement if we are unable to engage in person in the fall

Phase two engagement, part two: Harris Road (fall 2020)

Harris Road draft designs
Rail track alignment
Noise mitigation
Heritage building relocation

In the first part of the second phase of engagement, we will share updates on the Kennedy Road overpass while we continue to progress draft designs for Harris Road and noise mitigation options. We will also seek feedback from the community on how to best engage remotely and safely for a more in-depth engagement session this fall for the second part of the second phase of engagement.

How to participate

Between July 7 and July 28, 2020, you can learn more and share your feedback by:

Read the phase two, part one discussion guide
Watching a presentation to Pitt Meadows City Council on July 7, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. You can watch the update virtually by visiting www.pittmeadows.com/councilmeetings
Review a PDF presentation about the project
Virtually attending the Pitt Meadows Engagement and Priorities Committee on July 28 at 7:00 p.m. Staff will present and answer questions from the community. Submit your questions in advance to [email protected]
Completing the questionnaire
Requesting a hard copy of the discussion guide and questionnaire by emailing us at [email protected] or phoning us at 778.957.9444
Asking us questions at [email protected]
Mailing your written submission to: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Attention: Project communications 100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3T4
Dropping off your written submission to: Pitt Meadows City Hall 12007 Harris Road After hours drop box at the main entrance doors. Attention: Pitt Meadows Road and Rail Project

For more information and to participate visit portvancouver.com/pittmeadowsengagement

Previous engagement

Future of Transportation in Pitt Meadows (2018) public engagement and consultation documents
June 2018 – Public open house display boards [PDF]
August 2018 – Engagement Summary Report – Future of Transportation in Pitt Meadows [PDF]

Phase one public engagement (October 21 – November 22, 2019) public engagement documents
Thank you for participating in our first phase of public engagement and for sharing your ideas with us. This was the first of a three-phase public engagement process to ensure the community is engaged and involved in every step of the project, and has opportunities to provide feedback to the project team.

This table reflects what we have heard from residents and stakeholders to date and how we are acting on that feedback. This feedback was provided primarily through the City of Pitt Meadows’ Future of Transportation engagement in 2018, as well as through one-on-one stakeholder meetings over the summer and fall of 2019.

This table will be updated in late 2019, following phase one of public engagement, to reflect what we heard during the October 21-November 22 engagement period.

What we have heard	What we have done to date
Engage early and often with the heritage and museum society about relocating the Hoffmann and Son Machine Shop and the Old General Store.	When funding was confirmed, the port authority began discussions with the heritage and museum society to discuss relocating these two sites. Working with the heritage and museum society, we developed a letter of commitment that outlines how we will work together, including confirmation that the port authority will fund the move so the project does not cause undue burden to the heritage and museum society.
Create opportunities for community enhancement and beautification as part of the Harris Road underpass, including Indigenous artwork, pedestrian and cycling facilities, landscaping, and improved access to businesses on Harris Road.	We are in the process of engaging an urban design firm to complete a review of the project area. This team will work to develop different options informed by your feedback throughout this engagement process. We have also completed an archaeological assessment of the area and are preparing to do a geotechnical assessment next month. Additionally, we are consulting with Katzie First Nation and other local Indigenous groups to identify what opportunities they may see through this project.
Address concerns about managing traffic during and after construction.	While we are very early in the design process, managing construction and its impact on the community is a priority, and we will be developing a traffic management strategy to mitigate the traffic impacts of construction on the community and studying future traffic patterns and volumes. We will complete a baseline study, and model future traffic volumes and train crossing frequencies.
Explore ways to maintain or enhance the historical characteristics of Harris Road.	We learned more about the rich history of Pitt Meadows from the heritage and museum society and the importance of heritage recognition in the community. This engagement process is an opportunity for you to share your ideas about how we can reflect those characteristics in the design.
Address concerns about noise and vibration from existing and future expansion of CP operations, and the need to explore opportunities to mitigate this as part of this project.	As part of the project, we have hired acoustic experts to study current noise and vibration levels and model future levels. This information will be used to explore and inform opportunities for noise and vibration mitigation with the city and CP.
The city does not have the capacity to contribute to the capital costs of the project.	The port authority, city and CP agreed that all capital costs associated with the project (including the relocation of the Hoffmann and Son Machine Shop and the Old General Store) will be paid for by the three funding partners. In return, the city will own and maintain the Kennedy Road overpass and the public serving portions of the Harris Road underpass (not the structure supporting rail tracks).
Be mindful of the impact to businesses.	We understand that business owners, especially those with businesses along Harris Road, are concerned about project impacts to their operations. We have already met with several business owners to understand their concerns and how they operate. We intend to meet with the owners of all businesses that may be impacted during construction. If you are a business owner or operator and would like to set up a meeting, please email us at [email protected]