Metlakatla Development Corporation set to evaluate potential of intermodal rail/truck yard

The Metlakatla Development
Corporation has filed its
paperwork on a proposed
container yard

The next step towards the potential development of an intermodal truck/rail yard on the south side of Kaien Island is now in motion, with the Metlakatla Development Corporation filing its paperwork with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

The application posted to the Ministry website on May 10th, outlines the management plan that the MDC has in place as they investigate whether the land in question is suitable for development.

The Management Plan addresses the environmental, infrastructure and First Nations engagement that is required as part of the process, as well as any impact that the project may have have on the atmosphere, Water and Land, Fish and Wildlife, or Socio-Community conditions.

The first stage of the exploration of the site will be the development of temporary pathway to allow for geo-technical drilling on the site.

A map that is included in the documentation provides a good visual indication as to what amount of land is under consideration for the proposed development, which would compliment the operations of the Fairview Container Port.

The Metlakatla Development Corporation is moving forward with its
exploration of the south side of Kaien Island for a potential container yard

We first made note of the prospect of the large development on South Kaien Island back in August of 2015. At that time, the original notice of Investigation was submitted by the Prince Rupert Port Authority. The latest submission for the same project of May 10th, appears to be directed by the Metlaktla Development Corporation with that organization listed as the lead proponent.

The MDC plans however do tie in nicely with the future plans from the Port of Prince Rupert and DP World, which as we outlined in December have also formulated a plan for further expansion of the container terminal operations to the south of the current site.

Should the southern concepts come to pass, it would seem logical that a road connecting the container port to the Ridley Island Access road would be part of the development plan. Making for a transportation corridor that would take the pressure off Prince Rupert's downtown core, as well as McBride Street and Park Avenue, areas of the city which currently see a large volume of container truck traffic passing through each day.

You can review the Metlakatla Developmernt Corporation's full application here.

Those wishing to make comment regarding the proposed work on the site have until June 6th to share their thoughts with the Ministry.

For more background on items related to development of the Fairview Container Port see our archive page here.