Feds to fund improvements to Ashcroft Terminal

ASHCROFT, B.C. – The federal government announced $9.2 million in spending for an improvement project at Ashcroft Terminal.

Located at the Eastern end of CP/CN mainline co-production, Ashcroft is the last location westbound, and the first location eastbound, at which mainline traffic can stop, to or from, Metro Vancouver. Every railcar that travels on the Class 1 mainlines, must go directly through Ashcroft Terminal. shcroft Terminal is a 320 acre privately owned inland transload and storage terminal with 350 acres of surrounding buffer land.

“Our government welcomes the announcement made today by Transport Canada to invest $9.2 million to upgrade and improve the inland Ashcroft Terminal. Not only will this project benefit the local economy by creating jobs during construction, it will help move British Columbia resources and goods to market more quickly,” said Claire Trevena, B.C.’s  minister of transportation and infrastructure.

“Canada’s international trade relies on an efficient supply chain that integrates road, rail, air and ports. Inland terminals can improve supply chain efficiency, and provide economic opportunities at inland locations to complement marine terminal development.

This project is broken into several areas.

• A new rail link will be built from Ashcroft Terminal to Canadian National Railway’s main rail line.
• Extra rail track will be built to allow rail cars to be parked and assembled into longer trains to serve Canadian producers and shippers. The additional track infrastructure will support the movement and storage of rail cars to enhance fluidity through Canada’s Pacific Gateway Corridor.
• An internal road network will be built that includes a two-way road under the rail line. This grade separation will ensure that rail and truck operations do not interfere with each other thereby increasing safety.
• The construction of a multi-commodity and storage warehouse will support natural resource producers, allowing them improved access to domestic and international markets.
• Other works will include increasing electrical capacity, installing water treatment infrastructure, and installing lighting and security enhancements to provide safe and secure operations.

The project is expected to create over 250 jobs during construction.

“Transportation and distribution of goods are a vital part of our local, regional and national economies,” said Jati Sidhu, member of parliament for Mission — Matsqui — Fraser Canyon. “The investment announced here today will make our transportation system stronger by addressing urgent capacity constraints at the Port of Vancouver and fostering long-term prosperity for our community.”