The Deltaport Third Berth Project

Project Overview
52nd St
28th Ave
57B
53rd St
Deltaport Way
Hwy 17
The Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3) was a Port Metro Vancouver and TSI Terminal Systems Inc.
initiative to expand existing container operations at the Deltaport container terminal at Roberts
Bank. DP3 has increased the capacity of Deltaport by up to 600,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent
units) by adding a third berth and 20 hectares of container storage to the existing two-berth
container terminal.
DELTAPORT
WESTSHORE
Deltaport
Third Berth
(not to scale)
ROBERTS BANK
BC Ferries Terminal
Canada
United States
Open for Business
The Deltaport Third Berth Project is officially open for business after three years of construction.
The construction of the Deltaport Third Berth Project consisted of:
• Marine Works Construction
• Terminal Works Construction
• Rail Works
• Highway 17 Improvements
• Habitat Compensation (work on this component is still underway)
MARCH 2007
MAY 2007
SEPTEMBER 2007
SEPTEMBER 2008
DECEMBER 2008
JANUARY 2010
Marine Construction
Step 1: Creating the Dikes
The first phase of the DP3 construction was to create containment dikes. An east/west containment
dike was constructed along the north boundary of the DP3 terminal footprint using rock material.
Another north/south rock dike was then built to form the east boundary of the containment area, into
which fill material was pumped by a dredge.
Later, after the relocation of the tug basin, a second north/south dike was created to expand the
containment area prior to the placement of the caisson berth structures.
Rock material for the dikes was barged to the site from Texada Island to avoid the use of
trucks on local roads.
CAISSON
TRENCH
TUG BASIN
Marine Construction
Step 2: Dredging and Fill
The Deltaport Third Berth Project required dredging to relocate the tug basin, to extend the ship
approach channel so ships can safely reach the new berth, and to create the trench for the caisson
(berth) structures’ rock mattress foundation.
About one-third of the dredged material was used as fill material in the containment area to help
create the expanded terminal area. Additional clean material was dredged from the Fraser River and
used as fill material.
The project required approximately 1.5 million cubic meters of fill to create the land mass for the
expanded terminal. Rock and sand was brought to the site by water instead of by road. This has
eliminated approximately 650,000 one-way truck trips from local roads.
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TEXEDA
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VANCOUVER
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ROBERTS
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Marine Construction
Step 3: Caisson Berth Structure
The concrete berth structures used to create the dock structure for the third berth are called
“caissons.” Ten caissons were required for the Deltaport Third Berth Project, each approximately 16m
wide x 42m long x 21m high. The caissons were built in a North Vancouver dry dock and towed to
the site where they were temporarily stored until it was time to place them.
A rock mattress was built as the foundation for the caissons to sit on. Once the caissons were placed
on the rock mattress, they were filled with rock for stability and covered with a concrete slab, sand
and a pavement structure.
Three of the ten caissons have fish refugia built into the structures to provide additional marine
habitat. These refugia consist of one-meter diameter underwater holes in the front walls of the
caissons that allow marine life to enter and exit. The habitat provides a variety of species a place to
hide or “refuge” from predator species.
Terminal Construction
Step 4: Site Infrastructure
After the marine construction was complete, site infrastructure for the project could be undertaken.
Site infrastructure included the installation of underground utilities, paving of the site surface,
terminal lighting and creation of the rubber tire gantry crane (RTG) runways.
The expanded terminal has shore power infrastructure that will allow for future installation of
ship-to-shore power with minimal disruption to terminal operations. Three new quad dockside gantry
cranes service container vessels and a new fleet of RTG’s, including new diesel-electric hybrid RTG’s.
Other Construction Components
In addition to marine works and terminal construction, several other project components were
undertaken as part of the Deltaport Third Berth Project:
• Habitat compensation: the creation of 21 hectares of on-site and 7.5 hectares of
off-site habitat.
• Rail upgrades: creation of two additional rail sidings within BC Rail Company’s existing rail
right-of-way.
• Highway 17 improvements: improvements to Highway 17 to mitigate for the additional
truck trips that are anticipated as a result of the project. Highway 17 improvements are
now complete.
Road Traffic
As part of the the Deltaport Third Berth Project, Port Metro Vancouver worked with the Ministry
of Transportation and the Corporation of Delta to implement improvements to Highway 17 that
mitigate for the additional truck trips generated by the project to reduce impacts on local residents.
Improvements to Highway 17 were undertaken in the summer of 2008 and are now complete.
The Highway 17 improvements included:
• Improvements to the Highway 17 northbound off-ramp that leads onto
Highway 99 southbound
• Extension of northbound HOV lane on Highway 17 south of Ladner Trunk Road
• Signal modifications at the intersection of Highway 17 and Ladner Trunk, and road capacity improvements to the left turning lanes from Ladner Trunk Road eastbound onto
Highway 17 northbound
Port Metro Vancouver supports longer-term solutions to traffic congestion in Delta, including the
Gateway Program’s South Fraser Perimeter Road, to address increased commuter and port-related
traffic in the region.
Fill and rock for the marine construction component of DP3 was being imported by barge —
eliminating 650,000 one-way truck trips on local roads.
Road and Rail
Rail improvements for the Deltaport Third Berth Project require 23,000 feet of additional track to be
constructed by BC Rail Company within their existing property on the Roberts Bank causeway and
within their existing right-of-way.
Roberts Bank Rail Corridor
The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) is an important 70-kilometre stretch of rail connecting
Canada’s largest container facility and a major coal terminal at Roberts Bank with the North American
rail network. It carries increasing volumes of international freight through the communities of Delta,
Surrey, Langley City and Langley Township.
The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) Program consists of nine proposed grade separation projects,
including associated works at nearby crossings such as road closures, provision of detour roads and
advanced warning systems.
A comprehensive corridor study, Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Road/Rail Interface Study, was completed
in February 2007 to prioritize the most beneficial locations for investment in road-rail grade
separations. Careful consideration was also given to selected road closures, network reconfigurations,
and traffic management measures designed to maximize benefits to motorists, railways and
neighbouring communities. The study was a collaborative effort among Transport Canada, British
Columbia Ministry of Transportation, Translink, Greater Vancouver Gateway Council, affected
municipalities, railways and Port Metro Vancouver.
In Delta, grade separations have been identified at:
• 41B Street – Delivered by Ministry of Transportation
• 80 Street – Delivered by Corporation of Delta
South Fraser Perimeter Road
As part of the South Fraser Perimeter Road, the Provincial Gateway Program has identified two
additional grade separation projects over the rail corridor at 64th Street and 36th Avenue.
Trucking Initiatives
Truck Licensing System Standards for Container Trucks
A Port Metro Vancouver Truck License is mandatory for any container truck accessing port property.
Through the Truck Licensing System, Port Metro Vancouver is committed to developing a safer,
cleaner and more sustainable container truck fleet to service the Port’s container facilities.
Delta Container Truck Traffic Working Group
The Deltaport container terminal is the largest of four container terminals at Port Metro Vancouver.
Deltaport is a significant economic generator for the region; however, the container truck traffic
generated by import and export container goods has an impact on the local community roads. As a
result, Port Metro Vancouver and TSI Terminal Systems Inc., the operator of Deltaport, formed the
Delta Container Truck Traffic Working Group (DCTT).
The mandate of the DCTT is to work collaboratively to address port-related container truck issues in
the community of Delta. Members include:
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Port Metro Vancouver
TSI Terminals Systems Inc.
BC Ministry of Transportation
Corporation of Delta
Delta Police
ICBC
Deltaport Third Berth Project Community Liaison Committee — Truck Traffic Subcommittee
Environmental Commitments
Port Metro Vancouver remains committed to developing a sustainable project and is investing
approximately $25 million to implement more than 150 commitments to protect the environment,
including a construction Environmental Management Plan, a comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Compensation Plan, a Marine Mammal Monitoring Program and an Adaptive Management Strategy for
the intercauseway area.
Port Metro Vancouver provides reports on the status of compliance with the Owner’s Commitments
and Assurances Table available on the project website.
Regulatory Approvals
The Deltaport Third Berth Project was issued a provincial Environmental Assessment
Certificate – under the Environmental Assessment Act – on September 29th, 2006.
The Federal Minister of Environment issued a decision statement on November 3, 2006.
Construction Environmental
Management Plans
Contractors and sub-contractors hired by Port Metro Vancouver for the Deltaport Third Berth Project
construction have been required to provide detailed environmental management plans and must
confirm that they were able to comply with environmental requirements and conditions.
Construction Environmental Management Plan included the following components:
• Air Quality Mitigation Plan
• Construction/Dredging Timing Plan
• Marine Environment Management Plan
• Marine Water Quality Plan
• Waste Management Plan
• Hazardous Waste Management and Spill Control Plan
• Health and Safety / Emergency Response Plan
• Noise Management Plan
• Traffic Management Plan
• Visual and Light Management Plan
Activities for the marine construction took into consideration sensitive periods for fish and wildlife at
Roberts Bank, and included appropriate mitigation.
Independent consultants were retained by Port Metro Vancouver to provide construction
environmental monitoring services during construction.
Habitat Compensation
Port Metro Vancouver is investing $25 million on environmental mitigation and enhancement to protect
local marine, mammals and wildlife.
The Habitat Compensation Plan for the Deltaport Third Berth Project provides approximately 20
hectares of on-site compensation projects and 7.5 hectares of off-site compensation.
East causeway enhancements include the excavation of the east causeway shoreline to create
aquatic habitat for fish and coastal seabirds.
Status: Work on the east causeway compensation commenced in September 2009 and expected to
be complete by late 2010.
Log removal and salt marsh restoration to increase productive capacity for fish and fish habitat.
Status: Project is complete.
Caisson habitat openings within the dock structure will provide increased surface area and refuge
for marine organisms such as juvenile salmon.
Status: Project is complete.
Sub tidal rock reef for increased fish and coastal seabird habitat.
Status: Project is complete.
7.5 hectares of off-site compensation has been created in partnership with Ducks Unlimited
and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
Status: Project is complete.
Deltaport East Causeway Habitat
Compensation Project
As part of the Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3) at the Deltaport container terminal at Roberts
Bank, Port Metro Vancouver is creating new fish and wildlife habitat along the east causeway
portion of Deltaport Way. Roberts Bank is recognized as an important ecological area. Through this
project, Port Metro Vancouver will help to increase the biodiversity and environmental sustainability
of this area.
The East Causeway Habitat Compensation Project will transform the land beside the Deltaport
causeway into diverse marine and wildlife habitat through the creation of barrier islands, rip rap
slopes, salt marsh, upland vegetation areas, and gravel and cobble beaches.
Construction on the East Causeway Habitat Compensation Project commenced in September 2009
and is expected to be complete by late 2010.
Public Access Changed
to Protect Wildlife.
During construction and upon completion of the project,
parking will no longer be available along the east causeway
area. Public access will be permanently closed as the area is
transformed into sensitive wildlife habitat.
Adaptive Management Strategy
An Adaptive Management Strategy (AMS) has been developed through consultation between Port
Metro Vancouver, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency, the Geological Survey of Canada and consultants with expertise in the areas
of interest. The AMS is a science-based approach to monitoring and managing the Roberts Bank
Ecosystem.
The key areas considered by the AMS include the following:
• Geomorphology/Oceanography
• Surface water quality
• Sediment quality
• Eel grass
• Other biota including benthic communities* and bird populations
* Benthic organisms live in, on, or near the bottom of the aquatic environment. There are two
types: Epifauna, which live on the surface of the bottom and Infauna, which burrow into the sediment at the bottom.
The goal of the AMS is to provide early detection of potential changes in the inter-causeway
ecosystem so that significant negative environmental trends attributable to the Deltaport Third Berth
Project can be prevented or mitigated. The AMS details the commitments that Port Metro Vancouver
would undertake to evaluate, prevent or mitigate those trends.
Scientific Advisory Committee
A Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) was established to provide scientific and technical advice and
recommendations to the Adaptive Management Strategy.
SAC is a three-member committee consisting of
one scientist appointed by the Port, one
scientist appointed by Environment Canada and
one scientist selected jointly by the Port and
Environment Canada.
If SAC determines that a negative ecosystem
trend is significant and attributable to the project,
the Port has committed to initiate engineering
studies and subsequent physical works to mitigate
and reverse the trend.
Air Emissions –
Construction and Operations
Port Metro Vancouver and terminal operator TSI Terminal Systems Inc. (TSI) are committed to limiting
emissions associated with the Deltaport Third Berth Project construction, as well as general port
operations. Air emission actions and commitments include:
• Construction-related exhaust and dust emissions were reduced through: use of ultra-low
sulphur fuel, optimal maintenance and operation of equipment and, adherence to speed limits,
road watering and covering of fine materials.
• Port Metro Vancouver has funded an ambient air quality monitoring station in Delta, which is
being managed by Metro Vancouver.
• On April 1, 2008, Port Metro Vancouver implemented increasingly stringent environmental
requirements for container trucks including a new mandatory idle reduction provision on port
property, opacity requirements, phasing out of older, dirtier trucks and an awareness program.
• TSI uses ultra low sulphur on-road fuel in off-road cargo handling equipment. In addition, TSI
also implemented the use of biofuels in terminal equipment in 2006 to further reduce emissions.
• TSI has designed a diesel electric hybrid rubber tire gantry crane (RTG). Testing has shown fuel
savings of up to 60 to 80 per cent. As a result, TSI intends to continue exploring opportunities
for fuel-saving technologies at both their Vanterm and Deltaport container facilities.
TSI’s diesel-electric rubber tire gantry cranes have reduced
fuel consumption by 60 to 80 per cent.
Initiatives
Port Metro Vancouver has undertaken a number of initiatives to reduce air emissions from port
operations, including emissions from ocean-going vessels:
• On April 1, 2007, Port Metro Vancouver launched the Differentiated Harbour Dues Program
that provides incentives and recognition for vessels using cleaner, lower sulphur fuels and/or
emission reduction technologies when calling at Port Metro Vancouver.
• The Deltaport Third Berth Project includes shore power infrastructure provisions that will allow
for future installation of ship-to-shore power with minimum disruption to
terminal operation.
• Through the Truck Licensing System (TLS), Port Metro Vancouver is committed to developing
safer, cleaner, more sustainable container truck fleets to service Port Metro Vancouver container
trucking facilities.
• Port Metro Vancouver, in partnership with the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma, and with
support from Environment Canada, BC Ministry of Environment, the U.S. EPA, Puget Sound
Clean Air Agency and Washington State Department of Ecology, developed the Northwest Ports
Clean Air Strategy. The strategy includes emission reduction performance goals for port-related
sources, and represents a cooperative effort amongst the three ports to improve air quality in
the shared Georgia Basin-Puget Sound Airshed.
• Port Metro Vancouver is actively participating in the BC Marine Vessel Air Quality Work Group,
whose other members include Environment Canada, Transport Canada, Ministry of Environment,
Metro Vancouver, BC Ferries and the BC Chamber of Shipping among others. The group is
developing emission inventories and cooperates by exchanging information and analyzing
options for reducing emissions.
• Port Metro Vancouver is actively participating in the BC Locomotive and Rail Air Quality Work
Group, whose other members include Environment Canada, Transport Canada, Metro Vancouver
and railways among others. The inaugural meeting for this group was held in July 2008 and
terms of reference are being developed.
Port Metro Vancouver supports and works with tenants and other industry as well as government
to develop emissions reduction programs in terminal, truck, marine and rail applications.
More information on the air quality programs currently underway can be found on Port Metro
Vancouver’s website.
Deltaport Third Berth
Community Liaison Committee
The Deltaport Third Berth Project Community Liaison Committee (DCLC) consists of up to 18
individuals representing residents, community associations and businesses in Delta, as well as port
stakeholder groups. The purpose of DCLC is to work with Port Metro Vancouver during construction
and the first year of operation of the third berth at Deltaport to identify community concerns, develop
potential solutions to address those concerns and assist in communicating information among the
community, Port Metro Vancouver and other port stakeholders.
Membership
The DCLC is comprised of:
Leslie Abramson, Ladner Resident
Andrea Jacobs, Tsawwassen First Nation
Allan Baydala, Port Metro Vancouver
Doug Laloge, Ladner Resident
Steve Bayley, Sunbury Neighbourhood Association
Linda McKay, Tsawwassen Resident
Farida Bishay, Tsawwassen Resident
Clint Morgan, Delta Chamber of Commerce
Robert Butler, Delta Farmers’ Institute
Carl Nygren, Tsawwassen Resident
Teresa Cooper, Ladner Resident
Michael Owen, Ladner Resident
Simon Daniels, Terminal Systems Inc.
Victor Rivers, Tsawwassen Resident
Roger Emsley, Tsawwassen Resident
M. Lloyd Sim, Ladner Resident
Bernita Iversen, Corporation of Delta
For more information about DCLC, including its terms of reference and meeting notes, please visit
DCLC’s website atwww.delta3berthinfo.org
How to contact DCLC:
Website: www.delta3berthinfo.org
Mail: PO Box 166, Delta, BC V4K 3N6
Email: [email protected]
In the Community
Port Metro Vancouver is actively involved with port communities through extensive community
relations, sponsorship and engagement initiatives. We manage a dynamic, broad-based Community
Investment Program addressing: education, community enrichment and environmental stewardship.
Port Metro Vancouver supports a Partners in Education Scholarship Program, employee and
fundraising initiatives, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the Vancouver Children’s Festival and provides
other community sponsorships and donations. Our community relations team attends approximately
75 community events annually.
Port Metro Vancouver offers presentations both
internally at the Port’s Discovery Centre located
at the north end of Canada Place, and externally
in the community. Port Metro Vancouver hosts
a Leadership Program that partners with
secondary schools to foster education and
leadership training.
Port Metro Vancouver seeks to proactively
engage with communities to identify port
related synergies and concerns regarding port
operations, and to work together on plans for
sustainable development.
In Delta, Port Metro Vancouver supports many community organizations and events including:
• Delta Hospice
• Delta Hospital Foundation
• Delta Museum and Archives
• Burns Bog Conservation Society
• Tour de Delta
• Ladner Pioneer May Days
• Tsawwassen Sun Festival
• Delta Gymnastics
Deltaport Third Berth Project
Amenities Fund
Port Metro Vancouver contributed $2 million to the Corporation of Delta as part of the Deltaport Third
Berth Project Amenities Fund. This fund was used by Delta for the acquisition of the Seven Seas
Fishing Company site in Ladner to help secure public waterfront land to revitalize Ladner Harbour.
The Seven Seas Fishing Company site is located in the 4800 block of Chisholm Street in Ladner. The
Corporation of Delta now owns the entire Seven Seas property including the Brackman-Ker warehouse
at 4849 Chisholm Street. With these properties, public access to this section of the waterfront is
assured. The Corporation of Delta is working with community stakeholders to complete a Downtown
Ladner Waterfront Redevelopment (DLWR) study. The goal of the DLWR is to refine a vision and
initiate the redevelopment of the Ladner Waterfront to a revitalized, people-oriented environment,
celebrating the historical roots of the community. Once the vision is determined, the next step will be
to develop implementation strategies. This process is expected to be complete in fall 2010.
Since 1997, the Port has contributed almost $9 million dollars to the community of Delta, which has
been used to fund a number of major projects including parks, arts and seniors centres, community
and environmental projects and Highway 17 improvements.
Seven Seas Fish Company redevelopment option. Rendering courtesy of Corporation of Delta.
How to Contact Us
Website:
www.portmetrovancouver.com
Project Information Line:
604-665-9337
Email:
[email protected]
Mailing Address:
Port Metro Vancouver
100 The Pointe – 999 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC V6C 3T4