The federal government announced financial contributions totalling over $153.7 million through its National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) to support three separate trade infrastructure projects to facilitate growth at Prince Rupert Port Authority.
The Port’s activity is expected to grow from 26.7 million tonnes of cargo in 2018 to over 50 million tonnes within the next decade. The Port’s continued growth represents an increase in Canadian trade and economic development, and continued participation of local First Nations in the region’s gateway economy.
Prince Rupert Port Authority, in partnership with CN, received commitments of $60.6 million for the Zanardi Bridge and Causeway project to reduce operational conflicts and increase rail capacity to the port. Key components of the project include the construction of a new double track bridge across the Zanardi Rapids, rehabilitation of the existing single track Zanardi Bridge, and expansion of the causeway between the Zanardi Bridge and Ridley Island.
The Port Authority also received a commitment of $49.85 million towards rail infrastructure required to service the Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform project. The project’s total cost is nearly $100 million and focuses on an expansion of the existing Road, Rail and Utility Corridor to further enable unit train access. The rail infrastructure is a precursor to a large-scale bulk transload facility, a large-scale breakbulk transload facility, and an integrated off-dock container yard. The Road Rail Utility Corridor expansion is expected to create a platform to attract private-sector investment in export transloading and warehouse capacity at the port.
Metlakatla Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Metlakatla First Nation, received a commitment of $43.3 million toward the Metlakatla Import Logistics Park project. The $89 million project consists of a 25-hectare site development on South Kaien Island that will enable transload and warehouse operations to provide increased flexibility and value-added capabilities for import supply chains. The Import Logistics Park is a strategic complement to the Export Logistics Platform and will be fully integrated into DP World’s Fairview Container Terminal and the Port’s intermodal facilities to ensure maximum efficiency and fluidity.
Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of Prince Rupert Port Authority commented that “We are pleased to see over $150 million of federal investment committed to the Prince Rupert Gateway. We see it as indicative of the growing role that the Port of Prince Rupert plays in adding value to Canadian supply chains and growing Canada’s trade with the world.”
Harold Leighton, CEO of Metlakatla Development Corporation expressed similar satisfaction with the promised financial commitments: “Today’s announcement is a significant step toward realizing our vision of a Logistics Park on Metlakatla lands to improve the efficiency of Fairview Terminal and help enhance the Prince Rupert Gateway. This project will benefit all who live in Coast Tsimshian Territory by creating new jobs related to both the construction and long-term operations of the facility. Metlakatla Development Corporation is proud to be a part of this and other economic development projects to the benefit of the people who call this area home and to our shareholders, the members of the Metlakatla First Nation.”