advertisement

---

On Friday, federal, provincial and local officials, and representatives from other stakeholders marked the start of the "Combo Project" along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) in Surrey, British Columbia.

The project involves the construction of three grade separations at 192nd and 196th streets, and 54th Avenue in Surrey to enhance rail operations and accommodate anticipated freight traffic growth along the corridor.

The 43-mile RBRC connects Canada's largest container facility and a major coal terminal at Port Metro Vancouver with the North American rail network. The $307 million RBRC program involves nine road-rail projects in Delta, Surrey and Langley, including eight overpass projects and one rail siding project.

The program's Combo Project is estimated to cost $121.5 million. The project will be funded by $43 million from the Canadian government's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, $25.6 million from Port Metro Vancouver, $25.5 million from the province, $13.6 million from the city of Surrey, $8.3 million from the city of Langley and $5.5 million from the township of Langley.

The RBRC program's partners include the federal government, British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, cities of Surrey and Langley, township of Langley, corporation of Delta, Port Metro Vancouver, TransLink, BNSF Railway Co., B.C. Rail/CN and Canadian Pacific. The entire program is slated for completion in 2014.