HALIFAX, Sept. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today visited the Port of Halifax to mark progress on two significant projects. Led by Halifax Port Authority representatives, Minister Ashfield toured the site of the recently completed South End Terminal Expansion project and the construction site of the Richmond Terminals Multipurpose Gateway Improvements project.
"Today we take an important step forward as we celebrate investments in the Port of Halifax that will not only improve trade and traffic flows to and from the region's largest deep-water port, but will also benefit the economy by facilitating trade in the Atlantic region as a whole," said Minister Ashfield. "Halifax will be able to attract economic opportunities as a result of these improvements to the Port. These projects will improve the competitiveness of the Port by facilitating the movement of international trade through the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor. Strategic infrastructure investments like these are key to our Gateway's success."
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $17.5 million for the South End Container Terminal project, which will allow the Port of Halifax to berth two of the world's largest ships simultaneously, giving it a competitive advantage in international trade. The Government of Canada's contribution of up to $36.5 million to the Richmond Terminals project will upgrade and expand the port's value-added and breakbulk cargo handling services.
"Having the right infrastructure is key to being a highly competitive trade gateway," said Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority. "These terminal enhancements, co-funded with the Government of Canada, ensure we are able to accommodate future growth of both containerized and breakbulk cargo operations in the Port of Halifax."
The Government of Canada is committed to working with its public and private sector partners to help position the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor as a key entry point into North America.
Under the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, Canada is investing more than $250 million in transportation infrastructure projects supporting the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor.
Canada's Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor is the shortest all-water route between North America's East Coast and markets in Europe and Asia, via the Suez Canal. Double-stack rail service provides a direct link to Chicago in 71 hours, and a two-hour fly zone connects the Atlantic Gateway to Montreal, Toronto, Boston and New York.
More information on Canada's Atlantic Gateway can be found at www.atlanticgateway.gc.ca.
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BACKGROUNDER
South End Terminal Expansion project
The South End Terminal Expansion project includes three components at the Port of Halifax's South End Terminal:
- The Pier C extension
- The Halterm Road Realignment
- The Halterm Truck Marshalling & Gate Complex
The estimated cost of the three project components at the South End Terminal is $35 million. The Government of Canada is contributing $17.5 million towards this project.
The primary objective of this project is to be able to simultaneously berth and service two
post-Panamax ships at the South End Container Terminal.
The Pier C project component is complete and remaining project components are substantially complete.
Richmond Terminals Multipurpose Gateway Improvements project
This project will upgrade and expand the value-added and breakbulk cargo handling services that can be conducted at Richmond Terminals. The facility is being expanded to enable roll on/roll off handling and enhanced heavy lift capabilities.
The Government of Canada is funding the following seven components at the Richmond Terminals:
- The Pier 9B Reinforcement;
- The Pier 9 Reinforcement;
- Richmond Terminals Roadway;
- The Shed 9A wastewater services;
- The Shed 9 Canopy Redevelopment;
- The Pier 9C/9D Construction; and
- The Shed 9C Construction.
The estimated cost of the seven project components at the Richmond Terminals is $73 million. The federal government is contributing $36.5 million towards this project.
All project components are currently planned to be completed by Spring 2014.
SOURCE: Transport Canada
Barbara Mottram
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Keith Ashfield
Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Ottawa
613-992-3474
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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