RICHMOND, BC, July 7, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport and the Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., MP for Delta—Richmond East and Minister of National Revenue, along with Malcolm Brodie, Mayor of Richmond, Tom Corsie, Vice President, Real Estate, Port Metro Vancouver and Barry Forbes, TransLink Board Vice Chair, today celebrated two important roadway projects in British Columbia that will improve the link between local businesses and key Asia-Pacific trade corridors.
The Westminster Highway and Nelson Road Widening project involves the widening of Nelson Road and Westminster Highway from two to four lanes over a total distance of 2.6 kilometres, along with upgrading the associated traffic signals. This project will increase road capacities to the Fraser River Port Richmond properties sites, as well as improve the efficiency of the road serving gateway facilities, such as Coast 2000 Terminals, HBC Logistics and Westran.
The No. 6 Road Widening project consists of widening No. 6 Road from Wireless Way to Highway 91 from three lanes to four lanes (approximately 600 metres), and provides bike lanes, curbs, gutters, boulevards, and a sidewalk on the east side. This project will improve traffic flows and facilitate access to Highway 91 and Knight Street. A number of business parks engaged in international trade, are located along the No. 6 Road and use it to access Highway 91, which connects to the provincial highway network and Knight Street, a major truck route that is part of the regional highway network.
These roadways are primary links between local businesses and key Asia-Pacific trade corridors, including Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the U.S. border. These roadway improvement projects will increase efficiency and capacity by reducing traffic congestion and providing continuous four-lane access to Highway 91 and the municipal/provincial road networks. In addition, the construction of additional lanes and road widening is expected to reduce collisions, as the need for vehicles to merge into a single lane will be eliminated. In addition, the installation of sidewalks and dedicated bike facilities is expected to reduce vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist collisions.
Quick Facts
- The total cost of the Westminster Highway and Nelson Road Widening project is approximately $11.5 million. The Government of Canada is contributing close to $5 million under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund (APGCTIF), the City of Richmond is contributing $2.37 million, Port Metro Vancouver is contributing $2.15 million (for Nelson Road component) and TransLink is providing $2 million (for Westminster Highway component).
- The total cost of the No. 6 Road Widening project was approximately $1.7 million, including a federal government contribution of approximately $500,000 under the APGCTIF. The City of Richmond contributed approximately $1.18 million and TransLink provided $25,000.
- The No. 6 Road Widening project was completed in May 2014, while the Westminster Highway and Nelson Road Widening project is expected to be completed by November 2015.
- Launched in 2006, the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) aims to make Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway the best transportation network 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.
Quote
"These projects will help to increase Canada's competitiveness throughout the Asia-Pacific region, while providing environmental and economic benefits to local communities and industry. The Government of Canada is proud to invest in projects that focus on increasing exports, and creating jobs and prosperity for all Canadians."
The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport
"Transportation and distribution are a vital part of our local, regional and national economies. It's critical that we provide for the smooth movement of people and goods to foster economic growth and take advantage of the trade opportunities offered by the Asia-Pacific Gateway. These road projects will ease congestion for the movement of goods in and out of Richmond's port facilities and also improve mobility and traffic safety for our residents, farmers, cyclists and pedestrians."
Malcolm Brodie
Mayor of Richmond
"As a port authority, Port Metro Vancouver is mandated to facilitate Canada's trade in a manner that is sustainable and considers local communities. We are proud to contribute to the Nelson Road widening project which will improve the flow and safety of commuter and commercial traffic in Richmond, and further the ability of the Pacific Gateway to handle growing demand for Canadian trade."
Tom Corsie
Vice President, Real Estate, Port Metro Vancouver
"Infrastructure projects like the Asia Pacific Gateway reflect TransLink's mandate to not only provide transit, but to support integrated road, rail and transit transportation options across the Metro Vancouver region. As part of our major road network, these road widening projects help keep people, goods and our transit services moving, and keep our communities connected."
Barry Forbes
TransLink Board Vice Chair
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SOURCE Transport Canada
Zach Segal, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055; Ted Townsend, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, City of Richmond, 604-276-4399, Cell: 604-516-9585
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