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 The following content has been taken from the Deltaport Third Berth Expansion Project 'Comprehensive Study Report', pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.,:

The primary purpose of the Project is to provide additional container terminal facilities to increase the Proponent’s competitiveness in the Pacific Northwest container market.  The Proponent predicts that North American container volumes will grow at a rate greater than the economy through 2020, and Pacific Northwest ports, including the Port of Vancouver, are expected to capture an increasing share of west coast container traffic.

The Proponent has an overall expansion strategy that consists of: increasing production at existing terminals, expanding existing facilities, and exploring options for new facilities.  The Proponent has provided details on the proposed Vancouver container port expansions and the rationale for the specific third berth expansion at Roberts Bank.  The Project also constitutes a significant component of the federal Pacific Gateway Strategy that was announced in October 2005.

Principal components for the DP3:

·       construction of a fill area of approximately 22 hectares (50 acres) of land for an expanded container storage yard (dredge and fill);

·       construction of a wharf to accommodate a third berth;

·       expansion of the existing ship channel to the north;

·       disposal of dredged material;

·       creation of a tug moorage area adjacent to north side of the third berth;

·       relocation of a safety boat launch (currently located on the north side of Deltaport); and

·       addition of approximately 7,000 metres (23,000 feet) of rail track, which includes:

·       the extension of the Gulf Siding arrival/departure tracks from east of Arthur Drive to 64^th Street, Delta (within BC Rail’s right-of-way); and

·       additional track on the causeway, within BC Rail’s property.

The operation of the Project’s facility:

·       increase in associated marine traffic (container vessels and tugs);

·       increase in terminal loading and unloading equipment (ship-to-shore gantry cranes, rubber tire gantries, rail mounted gantries, tractor trailers); and

·       increase in associated road and rail traffic.