Greater Langley Chamber of CommerceOctober 18, 2011

Building mobile, connected communities

Improving mobility and quality of life

• an integrated package of nine road-rail improvement projects, for completion by 2014

• will improve the safety and add efficiencies to the road and rail networks in four municipalities

• a $307 million investment funded by an unprecedented collaboration of 12 partners

The Partners:

Good for business and the economy• the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Program is part of Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway

and Corridor Initiative (APGCI): a $2.8 billion investment in western Canada’s transportation network

• APGCI is complemented by the British Columbia’s Gateway Program, including: Port Mann/Highway 1 Project South Fraser Perimeter Road North Fraser Perimeter Road Pitt River Bridge

• together, they form a comprehensive, integrated system to enhance the movement of people and products throughout the Lower Mainland

Improving movement of goods• 70 km rail corridor connecting

the North American rail network with Roberts Bank Canada’s largest container facility a major terminal for coal export

• carrying increasing volumes of international freight Today - up to 18 trains per day,

each 6,000 to 9,500 feet long Future - expected to increase to 28

to 38 trains per day, up to 12,000 ft long

Challenges to mobility, safety and efficiency

• most of the corridor is single-track

• 66 public and private road-rail crossings only 12 are overpasses

• 338,000 vehicles cross the tracks each day up to 560,000/day expected by 2021

increasing volumes on roads and rails present challenges for rail operations and road networks

Solutions: out of traffic and on your way

• Partners agreed on: optimal locations for

investments in road-rail interface projects

leveraging their investments to maximize benefits for motorists, railways and neighbouring communities

• TransLink is the lead agency of the RBRC partners

The Projects

41B Street rail overpass at Deltaport Way• maintains connectivity for farms, business and residents

• enables the expansion of the Gulf rail yard

• eliminates traffic delays and train whistling

• improves safety by removing level rail crossing

80th Street rail overpass project• gives emergency vehicles uninterrupted access to Boundary Bay Airport

• provides a primary access road to airport

• will complement the new signal at 80th St. and Ladner Trunk Road

Panorama Ridge whistle-cessation project

• enables a 13,000 foot railway siding east of Mud Bay

• reduces train whistling by closing at-grade crossings

• re-aligns Colebrook Road

152nd Street rail overpass project• reduces delays between Surrey/White Rock and other

parts of Surrey

• reduces train whistling in the area

• Improves safety at Colebrook Road

The Combo Projects

• rail overpasses at 192nd St, Street, 54th Avenue and new 196th Street

• new road network in the area

• improves access to industrial area in east Surrey

• provides a reliable route for transit and first responders

• increases capacity (traffic volume expected to double by 2021)

• complemented by the Advanced Railway Information System that will notify drivers of approaching trains

Mufford/64th Avenue at Highway 10 project

• relieves congestion and delays

• improves safety by removing at-grade rail crossing

• improves access to Glover Road and Highway 10

• improves arterial road network connectivity• complemented by the Advanced Railway

Information System

232nd Street rail overpass project

• extends existing Rawlison rail siding to accommodate longer trains

• reduces train whistling

• removes delays for emergency vehicles, cars and trucks

Local Benefits • the Asia Pacific Gateway is vital to the economic future of BC

communities provides one of seven jobs in the Lower Mainland

• City of Langley: 607 jobs (direct)• Township of Langley: 1,694 jobs (direct)

provides $12.3 billion in GDP to the region’s economy• City of Langley: $122 million• Township of Langley: $367 million

-The Economic Role of The Gateway Transportation System in the Greater Vancouver Region

Economic Development Research Group (2007)

Benefits of the RBRC Program

improves the flow of local traffic improves traffic safety reduces train whistling reduces idling of vehicles at level crossings enhances the efficiency and safety of rail operations increases local and national trade competitiveness accommodates growth in trade-related traffic

Laying the groundwork for an economically sound and environmentally sustainable future

Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Program video:

Nine Projects to Improve Mobility and Livability

Questions?

www.robertsbankrailcorridor.ca