Harper government partners with Port Metro Vancouver to improve movement of exports through the Asia-Pacific Gateway to fast-growing Asian markets

OTTAWA, Jan. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Member of Parliament for Delta—Richmond East, on behalf of the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that the Government of Canada is funding an important new project in Delta, B.C., which builds on its commitment to open new markets for Canadian exports and increase transportation and trade capacity through the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

"Our government's top priority is creating jobs, economic growth and securing long-term prosperity for Canadian families," said MP Findlay.  "This new project will not only make it easier for Canadian exports to travel through the Asia-Pacific Gateway to high-growth markets throughout Asia, but will address some of the transportation pressures port growth has placed on local transportation."

The Government of Canada is contributing a maximum of $19.9 million, through its Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI), to a $45-million overpass on the Deltaport Causeway, part of Port Metro Vancouver's Deltaport Terminal, Road and Rail Improvement Project. The export facilitation project is an efficient and cost-effective plan to increase container capacity through improvements to existing port infrastructure at Port Metro Vancouver's Deltaport Container Terminal. The overpass will improve the efficiency, safety and fluidity of traffic to and from the terminal, by eliminating conflicts between rail and truck traffic. The project involves the construction of a two-lane overpass that will provide grade separation between rail tracks and the Deltaport Causeway access road adjacent to the Deltaport Container Terminal. The grade separation will contribute up to 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of additional capacity annually at Deltaport.

"The Deltaport Terminal, Road and Rail Improvement Project will increase capacity and efficiency within our existing footprint," said Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Port Metro Vancouver. "This project increases industrial density, adding container capacity at Roberts Bank, while easing the impacts of a growing port on nearby communities."

To date, the Harper government has invested $1.4 billion in almost 50 infrastructure projects, valued at over $3.3 billion, in partnership with all four Western provinces, municipalities and the private sector. These investments are positioning Canada as the Gateway of choice between Asia and North America and have helped Canadian exports to the region reach record levels. In fact, Canada's west coast ports are more than two days closer to Asian markets than any other ports in North America.

For project updates, please visit Port Metro Vancouver's website: www.portmetrovancouver.com/en/projects/OngoingProjects/DTRRIP.aspx

For more information on the APGCI, please visit us at: www.asiapacificgateway.gc.ca

SOURCE: Transport Canada