Ashcroft Terminal's geographic location along B.C.’s major highways and proximity to the main lines for both Canadian National Rail and Canadian Pacific Railway gives it the potential to become a significant link in the supply chain as an inland port. The Province will study whether an expansion of the facility could improve the supply chain for the railroads, producers and shippers, and alleviate port congestion in the Lower Mainland.
Ashcroft Terminal is a 129.5 hectare (320 acre) privately-owned trans-load and storage terminal that currently provides truck-to-rail and rail-to-truck bulk and break-bulk transfers servicing all sectors of the natural resource markets in B.C. The nearby Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway main lines run directly to the marine ports in the Lower Mainland.
The Province has posted a Request for Proposals for this study on BC Bid today. A report on the results of the study is expected in fall 2017.
The Province is committing up to $150,000 to examine the viability of Ashcroft Terminal as a part of Canada’s Pacific Gateway.
This builds on work the Province has done in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the ports and the private sector to examine ways to improve B.C.’s resource sector supply chain. Canada’s Budget 2017 has also noted the terminal’s potential role in reducing congestion at Lower Mainland ports by handling cargo inland.
Identification of potential partnership development with various parties including the ports and railways.