Public, private partners cap off Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program in Canada

Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) partners yesterday marked the completion of the $307 million program's last infrastructure improvement project: an overpass in Langley, British Columbia.

Funded by 12 public- and private-sector partners, the RBRC program involved the construction of eight overpasses and one rail siding to eliminate grade crossings. The projects were pursued over the past several years to improve the safety and efficiency of the area's road and rail network, and enhance the flow of rail traffic to and from the Deltaport terminal at Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C. The 43-mile corridor connects the terminal to the North American rail network.

"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," said Canadian Transport Minister Lisa Raitt in a press release.

The program's partners are the Canadian government, province of British Columbia, corporation of Delta, city of Surrey, city and township of Langley, Port Metro Vancouver, TransLink, CN, Canadian Pacific, BNSF Railway Co. and British Columbia Railway Co. Program funding was contributed as follows: federal government, $75 million; province, port and TransLink, $50 million each; railroads, $32 million collectively; Surrey, $22.4 million; township of Langley, $14.8 million; city of Langley, $8.3 million; and Delta, $4.5 million.

"The trade supportive infrastructure now coming on line helps us provide more timely and efficient service for our customers," said CP President and Chief Operating Officer Keith Creel. "It is the outcome of a unique partnership between industry and government, and it has achieved real results."