The official opening of the Mufford Crescent overpass marks the completion of all nine Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) infrastructure improvement projects in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood - Port Kells, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today celebrated the final component of the RBRC program with funding partners from all nine projects, including Abbotsford South MLA Darryl Plecas; Port Metro Vancouver vice president of Infrastructure Delivery Cliff Stewart, executive vice president, Strategic Planning and Public Affairs of Translink Bob Paddon; Surrey councillor Bruce Hayne; Acting Mayor Ted Schaffer of the City of Langley; and Mayor Jack Froese of the Township of Langley, along with other RBRC project stakeholders.

The RBRC program is a comprehensive package of road and rail improvement projects funded through a unique collaboration of 12 public- and private-sector partners. It is designed to improve the safety and efficiency of the road and rail network, and enhance quality of life for residents of communities through which rail traffic travels to and from the Deltaport terminal at Roberts Bank in Delta.  

The RBRC projects have been made possible through an unprecedented collaboration of partners including the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, Port Metro Vancouver, TransLink, the City of Surrey, the City of Langley, the Township of Langley, the Corporation of Delta, Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), Canadian National Railway (CN), the British Columbia Railway Company (BCRC), and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation.

Quick Facts:

• Total funding for the nine Roberts Bank Rail Corridor projects is about $307 million including:
  • Up to $75 million from the Government of Canada under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI)
  • $50 million from the Province of British Columbia
  • $50 million from Port Metro Vancouver and its tenants and stakeholders
  • $50 million from TransLink
  • $32 million from rail companies (CP, CN, BCRC and BNSF)
  • $22.4 million from the City of Surrey
  • $14.8 million from the Township of Langley
  • $8.3 million from the City of Langley
  • $4.5 million from the Corporation of Delta
• The 70-kilometre Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program connects Deltaport Terminal at Roberts Bank in Delta, British Columbia, with North America’s entire rail network.
• The newly-opened Mufford Crescent overpass is named in honour of one of the Township of Langley’s longstanding pioneer families.
• The total cost of the Mufford/64th Avenue at Highway 10 project is approximately $51 million, made possible through partnership funding from TransLink ($24 million), the Province of British Columbia ($12.5 million), the Township of Langley ($9.3), the Government of Canada ($3.1 million) and Port Metro Vancouver ($2.1 million).
• Other recently-completed Roberts Bank Rail Corridor projects have come in on time and on budget including the 232nd Street Overpass project (total project cost of $25 million), the Panorama Ridge Whistle-Cessation Projects (total project cost of $10 million) and the 152nd Street Overpass project ($31 million total) in Surrey, as well as the 192nd Street Overpass project ($38.4 million total) in the City of Langley.
• The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) aims to make Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway the best transportation network for 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.

Quotes:

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport −

“The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program significantly strengthens Canada’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. This unprecedented government and industry partnership has built a rail corridor that enhances our transportation and trade links to important markets while improving safety for local communities.”

Darryl Plecas, MLA for Abbotsford South, Province of British Columbia −

“The completion of the Mufford Overpass is a milestone, bringing the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program into full operation. The RBRC program clearly demonstrates the power of the Pacific Gateway concept and the importance of partnerships. The Province has worked with its partners to enhance quality of life by supporting these projects designed to reduce congestion and provide a safer commute through communities along the corridor, as well as enabling a more reliable and efficient flow of goods through Canada’s Pacific Gateway.”

Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer, Port Metro Vancouver −

“The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program is improving the safety and efficiency of both the road and rail networks in communities through which rail traffic travels to and from port terminals, while increasing capacity to respond to growing demand for Canadian trade. I am proud of the collaboration that has resulted in the opening of these projects, to the benefit of communities and industry alike.”

Marcella Szel, TransLink board chair −

“By eliminating local at-grade rail crossings, the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor projects reduce local congestion and help keep people and goods moving across the region. Transportation investments like these underpin a strong thriving economy and are key to meeting the needs of our growing region.”

Mayor Dianne Watts, City of Surrey −

“The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor is a product of exceptional teamwork between all levels of government and the private sector. The City of Surrey is proud to be a partner in the project. With the completion of the corridor, residents will benefit from a safer and more reliable road network and businesses can expect for a smoother and more efficient movement of goods.”

Acting Mayor, Ted Schaffer, City of Langley −

“This project demonstrates the value of collaboration and is a testament to the commitment shown by each of the partners to support local quality of life interests, along with the provincial and national interests of enhanced trade competiveness and jobs creation.”

Mayor Jack Froese, Township of Langley −

“Separating trains from traffic at Mufford Crescent to enhance safety and reduce congestion has been Langley Township’s main transportation priority for years. The completion of this overpass and the other RBRC projects will provide great relief for both residents and businesses. We appreciate the funding and cooperation that this partnership generated and extend our thanks to our funding partners. ‎The resulting overpasses will improve travel in our region for years to come.”

Mayor Lois E. Jackson, Delta −

“Safety is the utmost priority when it comes to rail traffic in our community. The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor improvement projects strengthen the economy and improve safety by ensuring that residents and goods can securely travel across the rail corridor. This is another example of all levels of government coming together to benefit our residents.”

Keith Creel, Canadian Pacific Railway, president and chief operating officer −

“The trade supportive infrastructure now coming on line helps us provide more timely and efficient service for our customers. It is the outcome of a unique partnership between industry and government and it has achieved real results.”

Related Products

Backgrounder - Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Improvements http://www.robertsbankrailcorridor.ca/application/www.robertsbankrailcorridor.ca/asset/upload/tiny_mce/page/link/RBRC_English.pdf

Archived News Release and Backgrounder - Roberts Bank Rail Corridor upgrades benefit communities, boost Asia-Pacific trade (Sept. 16, 2011)  http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=623669 

Contacts:

Jana Régimbal
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613 991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada
Ottawa
613 993-0055

Media Line
Government Communications and Public Engagement
BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

John Parker-Jervis
Media & Government Affairs Advisor
Port Metro Vancouver
604 665-9267

Media Relations
TransLink
604 803-3199
media@translink.ca

Oliver Lum
Communications Manager
Office of the Mayor
City of Surrey
604 591-4519

Christie Judson
Communications Officer
City of Langley
604 514-2823

Erin Brocklehurst
Corporate Media Liaison
Township of Langley
604 533-6122

Mayor’s Office
Corporation of Delta
604 946-3210

Ed Greenberg
Canadian Pacific Railway Media Relations
612 849-4717