Fairview Phase Two Expansion moves forward in approval process

The Prince Rupert Port Authority can look ahead to the next stage in the process of expanding the Fairview Container Port, with word that Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent had released the much anticipated Environmental Assessment Decision Statement.

The two key points from the statement that move the project further down the road to development are:

The Project, taking into account the mitigation measures described in the Comprehensive Study Report, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects

The mitigation measures and follow-up program described in the Comprehensive Study Report are appropriate for the proposed project.

The Project has now been referred back to the responsible authorities, the Canadian Transportation Agency, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada for appropriate action under section 37 of the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

After that action is completed, the first part of the Phase Two expansion of Fairview will see the existing wharf structure and onshore terminal expanded to the east.

As part of that project CN Rail has proposed the construction of two rail sidings, a maintenance road and wye.

The second part of the Phase Two expansion will see the Terminal expand to the south in the direction towards Ridley Island.

The connecting road between Ridley Island and Fairview  which is also part of the eventual expansion project, will provide a bit of infrastructure that will reduce the need of container trucks to travel through the city towards the inspection station on Ridley Island.

Some of our past reviews of the Phase II expansion can be found below

Convoys of containers could be a thing of the past as soon as 2014
Port of Prince Rupert targets 2015 for expansion operations

All of our items of note on the Port of Prince Rupert can be found here.

The media reviews of today's announcement by the Environment Minister can be found below.

CFTK-- Fairview Terminal Expansion Approved
The Northern View-- Prince Rupert's Fairview Terminal expansion given the green light