Public engagement
Thank you to everyone who provided valuable feedback during phase two public engagement.
To learn more about engagement visit: portvancouver.com/ portsideblundellengagement
Contact us
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604.665.9004
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is proposing to upgrade roadways in the Fraser Richmond industrial lands. This location and its connections to major transportation routes and facilities make it an active industrial area for warehouse and transload businesses that pack and unpack shipping containers moving to and from the Port of Vancouver. This corridor has some of the most concentrated activity in the Greater Vancouver area for moving goods from marine terminals to rail lines and trucks, and then off to other destinations.
Traffic flow in the area is impacted by a busy rail crossing. Vehicles back up when a train is passing over the crossing, leading to unnecessary idling and preventing access to businesses along Portside Road and Blundell Road. As trade grows, and a greater volume of containers move through the area, the delays are expected to worsen.
We aim to improve the efficiency, capacity, and safety of the transportation network by:
- Building a new overpass over the CN rail line and connecting Blundell Road and Portside Road
- Widening Blundell Road from two lanes to four lanes, between the No. 8 Road intersection and just west of York Road
- Building a new bridge and extension of Portside Road over the No. 7 Road canal
- Developing a new multi-use pathway along the north side of Blundell Road and south side of Portside Road
We are continuing to work with Indigenous groups, municipalities, and other stakeholders to undertake technical studies and engagement, advance project design, and plan for construction.
Watch the project video
Project benefits
The port authority has a long and successful track record of delivering high-quality projects based on best practices in sustainability, environmental protection, and engagement. Benefits of this project include:
Project timeline
- 2019 – Project receives funding from the Government of Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund for design and construction
- 2019-2021 – Phase one engagement
- November 2021 – Project and environmental review permit received for Portside extension and bridge
- 2021-2022 – Technical analysis and design development
- June 2022 – Phase two engagement
- October 2022 – Submit application for project and environmental review permit for Portside overpass
- Fall 2023: Anticipated PER decision
- Late 2023: Phase three engagement
- 2024 – Anticipated construction start
- 2026 – Anticipated project completion
Timelines are subject to change.
We acknowledge that while port-related developments provide local, regional, and national benefits, they also have the potential to affect those who live, work, or play in and around port lands and waters.
Our approach to public engagement 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 – complete
From June 20 to July 25, 2022, we asked those with an interest in the project to share their ideas as part of phase two engagement.
In this phase, we asked for your input on: the Portside overpass, Blundell Road widening, Portside Road extension and bridge, and the multi-use pathway connecting Blundell Road to Portside Road, as well as for your ideas and interests about traffic management during construction. We will use what we hear, along with other project considerations, to finalize the project designs and to inform a construction staging and traffic management plan.
To learn more about the project, please visit our project engagement site.
June 28, 2022 online information session
On June 28, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, we hosted an online information session to share information about the project, answer your questions and gather your feedback.
- Read the presentation provided at the online information session
- Watch the recording of the online information session
- Read the Q&A summary
Phase one engagement
From July 8 to 22, 2020, the port authority invited stakeholders to review the proposed project and share feedback. To learn more about this phase one engagement, please:
- Read the phase one engagement summary
- Watch a recording of the phase one online information session, held on July 8, 2020
- Read the presentation provided at the July 8, 2020 online information session
Project and Environmental Review (PER)
The port authority’s federal mandate is to enable trade through the Port of Vancouver while protecting the environment and considering local communities. We ensure port projects meet these requirements through our PER process.
The proposed Portside Blundell Road Improvements Project is currently under review (PER No. 20-055).
A 30-day public comment period was held from April 27 to May 26, 2023 led by the project and environmental review team. Details about how to provide feedback are available on the Portside Blundell Road Improvement Project permit applications page.
For questions about the port authority’s PER process, please contact the port authority at [email protected] or 604.665.9047.
Project documents
October 2022 – Phase two engagement summary report – English
October 2022 – Phase two engagement summary report – French
June 2022 – Project factsheet
June 2022 – Discussion guide – phase two engagement
June 2022 – Project video – phase two engagement
June 2022 – Postcard – phase two engagement
January 2021 – Phase one engagement summary
News releases
July 26, 2019 – Vancouver to benefit from $100 million in federal funding to support trade-enabling infrastructure
Newsletters
October 31, 2022 Newsletter – Phase two engagement summary report
June 20, 2022 Newsletter – Second phase of engagement opens today
January 25, 2022 Newsletter – New overpass design concept and spring public engagement
March 24, 2021 Newsletter – Stay tuned for phase two engagement
December 2, 2020 – Newsletter – Phase one engagement summary available
July 17, 2020 Newsletter – Submit your feedback
Notifications
August 8, 2022 – Notification of site survey work
June 20, 2022 – Notification of second phase of engagement
June 15, 2022 – Notification of field investigations
May 20, 2022 – Notification of geotechnical and environmental field investigations
August 24, 2020 – Notification of geotechnical and field investigations
July 8, 2020 – Invitation – Portside Blundell information session
November 27, 2019 – Notification of project commencement and upcoming survey work
Funding partners
This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the National Trade Corridors Fund, the port authority and CN.
The project is part of the Greater Vancouver Gateway 2030.