The West Vancouver Freight Access project will create a state-of-the-art Unit Train facility at the Port of Vancouver, USA and increase capacity for rail freight flowing through the port and along the BNSF Railway and Union Pacific mainlines that connect the Pacific Northwest to major rail hubs in Chicago and Houston and from Canada to Mexico.

The WVFA project includes construction of a new dual carrier rail access into port property and enhancement of the port’s internal rail system to serve growth for existing operations and future development.

Currently, the Port of Vancouver operates over 16.9 miles of rail track. With the completion of the WVFA project, the port will operate on more than 44.0 miles of rail to serve its present and future customers and tenants.

KEY FACTORS

• The current rail line into the port runs directly across the BNSF mainline creating a chokepoint that causes delays for north-south and east-west rail traffic.
  
  
• The new rail access will exit the east-west mainline at about Columbia Street and extend along the waterfront and under the BNSF rail bridge.
  
  
• The WVFA will allow the port to receive inbound Unit Trains of 110 +/- rail cars from both BNSF and Union Pacific directly into the port and will provide an area where Unit Trains can be staged, inspected, prepared and built ready for departure
  
  
• By significantly reducing blockage of both north-south and east-west mainlines, the new rail access will result in a 40% reduction in rail traffic delays.
  
  
• Internal port rail improvements will add capacity for current industrial tenants and marine customers and future development west to Columbia Gateway.
  
  
• The number of rail cars entering the port annually is projected to increase from 57,272 today to 160,000 by 2025.
  
  
• The project includes construction of a new near-dock rail line for loading cargo directly from vessels to rail, making cargo movement more efficient.
  
  
• To remain competitive in the global marketplace, the port must enhance its rail system.
  
  
• The new rail access will also facilitate the development of the Boise Cascade property along Vancouver’s waterfront by relocating rail tracks around that site.