By Mark Edward Nero
The Canadian government has awarded $68.3 million in federal funding for a project to modernize Port Saint John’s Westside terminals under the National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund, it was announced July 8.
The $205 million project involves improving and consolidating the Rodney and Navy Island terminals to allow the port to accommodate larger vessels. New operational systems and technology are also planned for installation to enhance cargo-handling capabilities.
The project covers a 60-acre area: 25 acres are slated be transformed into container storage, 10 acres into a multipurpose yard, with the rest used for terminal access roads, stevedoring operations, trans-loading and cargo-consolidation warehouses and lay-down areas for break-bulk and project cargoes.
The main channel at the port is also being deepened from 8.4 meters (27.5 feet) to 10 meters (32.8 feet) as part of the project.
Port Saint John is a year-round, deepwater port that handles an average of 28 million tons of diverse cargo annually.
The funding is conditional on the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements.
This is the first announcement under the National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund in New Brunswick. This component is providing $4 billion in financial support for projects with far reaching benefits for Canadians. It supports infrastructure of national significance that has a strong impact on Canada’s competitiveness, productivity and economic well-being.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
