Public Notice

Commissioner Street Rail Expansion – Public comments invited 

November 18, 2021 – As part of its Project and Environmental Review process, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority must determine whether the proposed Commissioner Street Rail Expansion, between the Commissioner Street overpass (McGill Street) and Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Written comments to be received by December 17, 2021.

To help inform this determination and a decision on whether or not to approve the proposed project, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.  For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website. In addition, your contact information may be shared with third parties, e.g., the tenant, other relevant agencies, to help respond to your questions and inform possible mitigations. 

Written comments must be submitted by December 17, 2021 to: 

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority 
Project and Environmental Review 
100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place 
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 3T4  
per@portvancouver.com

The proposed project 

As part of the Burrard Inlet Road and Rail Improvement Program, CP Rail is proposing to expand their existing rail infrastructure within the Commissioner Street transportation corridor by adding an additional two tracks to the north of the existing rail yard between the Commissioner Street overpass (McGill Street) in the east and Victoria Drive in the west. Approximately 40 per cent of this project is within the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority jurisdiction, the balance of the work is understood to be within the CP Rail right of way and a small portion under the jurisdiction of the City of Vancouver. 

The additional tracks are approximately 2,400 metres and 1,300 metres in length and are intended to provide increased storage capacity and improve operations for existing Port of Vancouver rail customers on the south shore of Burrard Inlet. The installation of the tracks will require grading, excavation, removal of contaminated soils, and the placing of structural fill and standard track materials. Project works also include the adjustment of the existing rail spur that serves Columbia Containers and upgrades to the road level crossing and warning system, installation of a utility protection slab on Commissioner Street, realignment of tracks below the Commissioner Street overpass, paving, construction of a retaining wall at New Brighton Road, construction of associated track derails, turnouts and crossovers throughout the rail yard, and works to signals, warning systems and utilities.  

Work is proposed to commence following the Commissioner Street road realignment work being completed by the port authority. The construction schedule is anticipated to include 4 months of grading, drainage and structural work, followed by 3 months of track construction and crossing modifications. Works may be required to take place outside of regular construction hours.

Document Reference Number: 1

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