Northern potash and coal port gets $15 million from BC government

Premier Christy Clark announced on Monday a $15-million contribution for a $90-million road rail utility corridor project, phase one of a planned $300-million development at the Port of Prince Rupert.

The $90-million Road Rail Utility Corridor Project will expand Ridley Island’s terminal capacity to help meet growing demand from Asia for Canada’s natural resources. The project includes construction of new inbound and outbound rail lines and the extension of on-site rail and utilities.

The BC government says that the investment will create over 570 direct construction jobs over the life of the project and will further provide up to 4,000 operational jobs after all construction is complete.

Funding for the project includes investments of $30 million from CN and $30 million from the Prince Rupert Port Authority. The federal government continues to work through its process to determine its participation with respect to the remaining $15 million.

The premier is touring the province and rolling out her program, Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan.

“I am in Prince Rupert today because if you are looking at Canada from Asia, with an eye to investing in our country, Canada truly starts here,” said Premier Clark. “It is through British Columbia ports where resources are shipped to Asia, and where goods arrive for distribution at home and to the rest of North America. A bright economic future for British Columbians is linked to opening up Asia-Pacific markets to the rest of Canada, and B.C.’s transportation network will be the key to success.”

Ridley Terminal, located just south of Prince Rupert, was built to provide an export facilities for metallurgical and thermal coal in northeastern British Columbia. It is also important shipping point for potash, as well as other commodities. The first ship was loaded in January of 1984.

Image from Ridley Terminals Inc.