Fertilizer, grain, and export groups seek federal action on critical Vancouver corridor

Canada’s agricultural export growth and Indo-Pacific trade expansion depend on fixing transportation bottlenecks at the Port of Vancouver. A coalition of agriculture, fertilizer, grain, manufacturing, mining, and export organizations urged federal leadership for long-term improvements to the Second Narrows corridor. The Second Narrows Rail Bridge, a single-track lift bridge built in 1969, connects North Shore terminals to Canada’s rail network and now carries about one-third of port cargo annually. Reliability and resiliency concerns have increased as freight volumes, train lengths, and shipping demands have grown. A recent malfunction halted marine traffic and restricted rail service for days, showing limited routing alternatives. Congestion, rail delays, missed vessel windows, and rising commercial risk are expected to worsen with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion and bulk commodity export growth, including fertilizer and grain shipments to Indo-Pacific customers.

"Canada's ability to grow agricultural exports and strengthen trade relationships in Indo-Pacific markets depends on addressing critical transportation bottlenecks, says Fertilizer Canada president and CEO Michael Bourque."

"At the centre of the discussion is the Second Narrows Rail Bridge, a single-track lift bridge built in 1969 that connects North Shore terminals with the rest of Canada's rail network. According to the coalition, the bridge now handles roughly one-third of all cargo flowing through the Port of Vancouver annually, despite being designed decades before today's freight volumes, train lengths, and shipping demands."

"Bourque tells Haney that reliability and resiliency have become major concerns for exporters, particularly as Canada looks to diversify trade opportunities beyond traditional markets. Earlier this year, a malfunction on the bridge halted marine traffic and restricted rail service for several days, underscoring the vulnerability of the corridor and the lack of alternative routing options."

""The constraints at Second Narrows are not theoretical," the letter states, pointing to persistent congestion, rail delays, missed vessel windows, and increasing commercial risk. The coalition also warns that traffic pressure is expected to increase with expanded Trans Mountain Pipeline operations and continued growth in bulk commodity exports."

Read at Realagriculture