Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, moving more than $200 million of cargo daily. Port Metro Vancouver connects Canada to the world and the world to Canada, trading with more than 160 trading economies.
In the Lower Mainland, one in 12 people have a job because we have a port. The North Shore Trade Area, which includes terminals and industrial activities along the north shore of Burrard Inlet, from West Vancouver to Deep Cove, generates 5,000 jobs on the North Shore and more than 12,000 across BC. In the coming years, North Shore terminals are forecasted to continue to grow, resulting in approximately 100 new North Shore jobs by 2017. While our economic contribution is important, the continuous improvement in our environmental and social performance is also a priority for Port Metro Vancouver. Sustainability makes good business sense and it is imperative to long term success. We are committed to creating economic value and we value the way it is created too.
The North Shore Trade Area represents a critical gateway to growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region for high demand Canadian natural resources like lumber and coal from British Columbia, and grain and potash from the prairies. The North Shore Trade Area is also the foundation of some of Port Metro Vancouver's key competitive advantages. As part of a full service port, the North Shore is home to marine businesses such as Cargill, Lynnterm, Neptune Terminals, Richardson International and Seaspan Marine.
Together with industry and local governments, critical infrastructure investments are underway to maximize efficiencies, minimize impacts on local communities and prepare to meet the need for increased capacity as Canadian international trade continues to grow. As a result, $283 million in six different projects is invested in the North Shore Trade Area which includes funding from federal, provincial and municipal governments and industry.
North Shore improvements include the Lynn Creek Rail Bridge Project, completed in March 2011, and the Brooksbank Avenue Project, completed in February 2012. Together, these two projects included construction of a new rail bridge over Lynn Creek to improve rail access to and from Neptune Terminals and Lynnterm-West Gate, as well as a modification to the existing underpass to accommodate additional rail tracks. In addition to helping move goods, North Shore residents now have a new pedestrian walkway built under the rail bridge to connect the trails in Harbourview Park to the rest of the Lynn Creek trail system.
Future North Shore improvements include the Low Level Road Project that will improve an important east-west route in North Vancouver. Low Level Road is used by Port operators, businesses, residents, cyclists and pedestrians. The project design will meet growing domestic and international trade demands by increasing rail capacity and improving safety and access. The project will incorporate slope stability and North Shore residents will experience reduced road/rail related congestion, an improved bike path, a Spirit Trail connector and less train-related noise.
Dotted all across Canada are communities like the North Shore that have grown and changed alongside ports and that rely on port industry and related businesses as a major contributor to their local economy. Canadian trade is a major driver and source of stability for the national economy. Port Metro Vancouver will work to ensure there is an efficient, reliable supply chain, ready to facilitate trade, for the benefit of all Canadians. As we grow, we are committed to working with local First Nations on consultation and economic development. We will also continue to work with our community liaison committees and local communities to be good neighbours where some of the more expected impacts of port operations can be felt. After all, communities often feel the impacts and benefits of port operations the most.
Visit portmetrovancouver.com to keep up-to-date with North Shore Trade Area projects.
PortTalk.ca is the dedicated, online hub for news and information about the Low Level Road Project. Register to get involved in consultation activities and to see the final project design.
