TSAWWASSEN - Local commuters, farmers and truckers now have a safer, more reliable route to cross Deltaport Way at 41B St. without being delayed by long trains and truck traffic, thanks to a newly completed overpass.

Roberts Bank Corridor (robertsbankrailcorridor.ca)

"Demand for Canadian exports in Asia-Pacific markets continues to grow at a rapid rate, and investments such as these along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor are furthering Canada's competitive advantages, improving infrastructure in local communities, and creating jobs and prosperity for workers, businesses and families," said the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. "With the completion of the 41B overpass and, eventually, the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor overall, we are strengthening Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway, while positioning the West Coast as the corridor of choice between Canada and the high-growth Asia-Pacific markets."

41B is the first of nine projects completed in the $307-million Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) Program and will ease traffic congestion in the communities of Delta and Surrey, as well as the City and Township of Langley. The RBRC program comprises eight overpasses and one railway siding in a 70-kilometre stretch that connects Roberts Bank, which contains Canada's largest container facility (Deltaport) and coal terminal (Westshore), with the North American rail network. The RBRC is expected to carry increasing volumes of goods from around the world that we use here every day, as well as Canadian exports.

BC Jobs and Trade Plan (bcjobsplan.ca)

"Strengthening infrastructure to get our goods and services to expanding markets in Asia and the world, is a pillar of the BC Jobs Plan," said Agriculture Minister Don McRae on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom. "The 41B project, which created more than 150 construction jobs, supports our growing trade and improves the quality of life for local farmers and all families by providing a safer connection within the community."

The overpass will also provide improved access to the Tsawwassen First Nation Gateway Logistics centre.

"The Asia Pacific Gateway and Deltaport are key growth opportunities for Tsawwassen First Nation's new Tsawwassen Gateway Logistics Centre - which links directly to Deltaport and the South Fraser Perimeter Road system," said Chief Kim Baird of the Tsawwassen First Nation. The 41B overpass is a critical link in expediting traffic from our centre, and is a further indication of the strategic economic partnership TFN has with the B.C. government."

The RBRC Program is funded by 12 public and private partners: Transport Canada, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, TransLink, Port Metro Vancouver, the Corporation of Delta, the City of Surrey, the City of Langley, the Township of Langley, CN, CP Rail, BC Railway Company, and BNSF Railway.

The $24-million 41B Street overpass project is funded by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure ($5.5 million), BC Railway Company ($12.6 million), Transport Canada ($3.5 million) and Port Metro Vancouver ($2.4 million).

"The RBRC program exemplifies the Asia Pacific Gateway strategy in action," said president and chief executive officer of Port Metro Vancouver Robin Silvester. "Working together with the federal and provincial governments, we are advancing infrastructure projects that will benefit the community, and support Canadian trade and jobs in the most sustainable way possible."

The RBRC Program is working proactively to make improvements to road and rail to accommodate increasing traffic around growing communities and ensure residents can travel through the corridor safely, with minimal delays and impacts on their quality of life. British Columbia's trade with Asia is increasing through Canada's Pacific Gateway. Pacific Gateway partners have committed $22 billion to expand and enhance port, rail, road and airport infrastructure in the Pacific Gateway to meet those growing demands.

Media Contacts:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613 993-0055

Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Ottawa
613 992-7332

Barbara Joy-Kinsella
Media Relations
Port Metro Vancouver
604 665-9267
Barbara.joy-kinsella@portmetrovancouver.com