Metro Vancouver Monitoring Shows No Ecosystem Impacts

By Mark Edward Nero

A program to monitor and manage the ecosystem of the Roberts Bank inter-causeway area has concluded after eight years that the ecosystem has not suffered significant negative impacts due to the construction of a third berth at Port Metro Vancouver’s Deltaport container terminal.

The independent monitoring program, called the Adaptive Management Strategy, was developed by Port Metro Vancouver in consultation with Environment Canada. It included a scientific advisory committee comprised of three scientists appointed to provide independent scientific and technical advice and recommendations to prevent or mitigate any significant negative ecosystem trends attributable to the Deltaport Third Berth Project.

The program was designed to look specifically for changes to the nutrient balance in the water, and for potential erosion effects, both of which could negatively affect the ecosystem of the area located between the Roberts Bank and Highway 17 causeways in Delta.

It was initiated in 2007 when construction of the Deltaport third berth commenced, and carried through until 2014. Science-based monitoring concluded there was no evidence of significant environmental impacts from the project.

One small localized area behind a tugboat basin showed changes in water and sediment quality due to poor drainage, and the port authority responded by installing a swale in a berm to increase drainage.

“It is very encouraging to see the plan put in place nine years ago has been successful in protecting the ecosystem at Roberts Bank,” said Duncan Wilson, Port Metro Vancouver’s Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility.

The final report on the strategy, as well as yearly reports since 2007, is available on Port Metro Vancouver’s website: http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/working-with-us/permitting/project-and-environmental-reviews/status-of-applications/deltaport-third-berth-project/

Metro Vancouver Completes Overpass Project

By Mark Edward Nero

Port Metro Vancouver on Oct. 24 celebrated the completion of the new Roberts Bank Causeway Overpass, a major infrastructure project that is expected to improve container handling capacity at Canada’s largest container terminal.

The project is expected to improve the efficiency of the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor, which serves the Deltaport Container Terminal in Delta, British Columbia. Deltaport handles 50 percent of the containerized cargo that moves through Canada’s West Coast.

The overpass, which is also expected to increase rail capacity and enhance the safety and fluidity of traffic to and from the terminal, involved the construction of a two-lane overpass to provide grade separation between rail tracks and the Roberts Bank Causeway access road adjacent to the terminal.

The separation of road and rail traffic will improve safety for transportation operators involved in the movement of goods for international trade, according to the port, and also significantly improve the fluidity of inbound and outbound containers, plus contribute to additional capacity at the terminal, roughly 150,000 to 200,000 new 20-foot equivalent units annually.

The overpass project, which began construction in early 2013, is an element of the Deltaport Terminal Road and Rail Improvement Project, a plan developed by the port to reduce delays and inefficiencies in rail and truck operations and to increase cargo-handling capacity at Deltaport.

“The Deltaport Terminal, Road and Rail Improvement Project at Roberts Bank is increasing the efficiency of the Deltaport terminal so that it can better handle growing demand for container trade to and from Asia,” Port Metro Vancouver President & CEO Robin Silvester explained. “This portion of the project is eliminating delays and congestion for truckers and increasing rail capacity by providing a roadway over rail lines on the Roberts Bank causeway.”

The total cost of the project was $44.7 million: Port Metro Vancouver contributed $24.8 million, while the federal government pitched in $19.9 million.