The governments of Canada and British Columbia announce funding for a key component of the Asia-Pacific Gateway

Construction of the Philip Avenue Overpass in the North Shore Trade Area

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Construction of the new Philip Avenue overpass south of West 1^st Street in North Vancouver is now underway. The project was made possible through a partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments and private-sector partners.

The new overpass in the North Shore Trade Area (NSTA) will decrease traffic congestion and improve safety by eliminating the at-grade rail crossing. The project will make it possible to ship products through the area using longer trains, and will reduce rail-car switching noise, shunting and whistles. It will also improve the flow of up to 3,500 vehicles that pass through the area daily, including traffic bound for marine terminals, local businesses, and the Norgate community.

The project partners are: the Government of Canada, the Province of B.C., the District of North Vancouver, CN and Kinder Morgan.

Quick Facts

• The Philip Avenue overpass is one of several transportation investment projects that have been identified to meet the future demands of the NSTA, which includes port terminals and industry along the north shore of Burrard Inlet.
• Construction of the Philip Avenue Overpass is expected to be completed in the fall of 2015.
• The new overpass will cross the rail tracks at Philip Avenue, with a loop ramp on the south side to connect to McKeen Avenue and a straight ramp on the north side to connect to West 1^st Street.
• The NSTA handles over 35 per cent of all cargo volume through Port Metro Vancouver and is a critical export gateway to overseas markets, as well as a substantial economic generator in the marine, rail and trucking industries.
• The total cost of the project is estimated at over $30 million, with a federal government contribution of $13.4 million under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund (APGCTIF). The remaining funding is from the Province of British Columbia ($10 million), the District of North Vancouver ($0.4 million), CN ($4.2 million), and Kinder Morgan ($2.1 million).
• The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) aims to make Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway the best transportation network for facilitating global supply chains between North America and Asia. To date, the Government of Canada has invested approximately $1.4 billion in APGCI infrastructure projects, in partnership with all four western provinces, municipalities and the private sector, for a total project value of approximately $3.5 billion.

Quotes

"Our Government is making a significant contribution to the construction of the Philip Avenue overpass to improve the efficiency and reliability of the transportation system on the North Shore, which is a critical part of Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway."
Andrew Saxton
Member of Parliament for North Vancouver

"The North Shore Trade Area supports our growing trade with Asia through Canada's Pacific Gateway. This new overpass project provides benefits to local residents such as noise reduction and improved traffic flow, and at the same time, creates better access to marine terminals for workers and exports."
Jane Thornthwaite
MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour

"The District of North Vancouver recognizes that industry in the lower Pemberton area is growing, and traffic flow is expected to increase significantly over the next few years. The new overpass will support that economic growth while addressing long-standing community concerns regarding traffic congestion, noise and air quality." 
Richard Walton
Mayor of North Vancouver District

"CN is pleased to be a part of the Philip Avenue Overpass Project, in combination with other transportation and infrastructure investments on the North Shore, all of which contribute to the growth of the North Shore Trade Area and to the economic development of Canada."
Michael Cory
Senior Vice President, Western Region, CN

"Kinder Morgan Canada Terminals Vancouver Wharves is pleased to see the project reach this milestone. The Philip Avenue Overpass project is the culmination of many years of work to benefit our neighbours, customers and employees. It is an important part of a much needed supply chain upgrade that will contribute to driving the Canadian economy."
Don Nonis,
General Manager, Kinder Morgan Terminals, Western Region

Associated Links

• Philip Avenue Overpass project website – District of North Vancouver
• Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative

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SOURCE: Transport Canada

Jana Régimbal, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055; Media Relations, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, British Columbia, 250-356-8241; Mairi Welman, Communications Office, District of North Vancouver, 604-990-2416; Emily Hamer, Public and Government Affairs, CN Rail, 604-589-6512; Andy Galarnyk, Director, External Relations, Kinder Morgan Canada, 403-514-6536