Cargill Terminal, one of two port terminals in North Vancouver that handles grain, has applied to expand its rail system to allow more wheat to be shipped through the terminal each year.
The company wants to add rail track within its terminal to allow more efficient unloading of railcars that bring wheat and other agricultural products from the Prairie provinces to be shipped out for export.
The changes would see the number or railcars arriving at the terminal increase from 125 cars a day to between 175 and 200 cars per day and the number of incoming trains per year go from 325 to 500.
The changes would see the terminal’s grain handling capacity jump from about 3.4 million metric tonnes of grain per year to 5 million metric tonnes.
The request for expansion comes after recent years saw record-setting volumes of grain crops on the Canadian prairies.
Last year, the federal government ordered Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways to move minimum volumes of grain to ensure farmers got their crops to market.
Port Metro Vancouver has seen wheat exports soar in recent years — from 5.8 million tonnes in 2011 to 6 million tonnes in 2012 and 7.6 million tonnes in 2013.
Between November 2013 and November 2014 the port handled 8.4 million tonnes of wheat.
The increase in wheat exports also prompted Richardson Terminal’s addition of controversial new grain storage silos, which dramatically impacted views of nearby City of North Vancouver neighbours.
Cargill’s expansion does not include any new grain storage silos, said Connie Tamoto, spokeswoman for the company.
According to information provided to Port Metro Vancouver, the project should cut down on noise by reducing rail shunting within the terminal.
Coun. Rod Clark, who has sat on industrial waterfront committees for the city, said he has reason to hope the net effect of the project will be positive for nearby residents.
“I have great respect for Cargill,” he said. “They seem to be good corporate citizens.”
Previously, Cargill completed the first phase of a project aimed at cutting noise levels coming from the terminal by putting silencers on exhaust fans and dust collectors and installing noise barriers.
Tony Valente, chairman of the City of North Vancouver’s Low Level Road and port area community liaison committee, said it remains to be seen what the cumulative impacts of expansions at Richardson, Cargill and Neptune terminals will be for the community. “That’s what makes a difference in people’s lives,” he said.
Cargill has asked to start work on the new rail track project in March, with a completion date of May 2016.
Port Metro Vancouver is currently reviewing that request and has final authority over the permit.
Cargill plans to hold an open house about the project on Feb. 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Pinnacle hotel.
The company is also scheduled to address City of North Vancouver council Feb. 23.
