The Corporation of Delta COUNCIL REPORT Regular Meeting.01 To: Mayor and Council From: Engineering Department File No.: 13480-02/BNSF Date: December 18,2013 BNSF Railway Company North Colebrook Siding The following report has been reviewed and endorsed by the Chief Administrative Officer. RECOMMENDATION: THAT staff be directed to seek drainage conveyance improvements and address pedestrian safety in conjunction with BNSF Railway Company's proposed North Colebrook Siding works. -------- ------------------------------------------------------ ---- PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to provide Council with information regarding the proposed North Colebrook Siding from south of 64 Avenue to north of 72 Avenue. BACKGROUND: BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) owns and operates a single-track rail main line which runs from the continental United States into the Lower Mainland (Attachment A). This line is a major corridor for goods transported between Port Metro Vancouver's ports and the United States, including coal, oil, Canadian softwood lumber, paper products, and general merchandise. The Amtrak Cascades passenger train also uses BNSF's line. To increase capacity, BNSF has advised Delta of its intention to construct the North Colebrook Siding (from south of 64 Avenue to north of 72 Avenue) in 2014 (Attachment B). The addition of the North Colebrook Siding will let BNSF move trains off its main line, allowing other rail traffic to utilize the corridor without interruption. DISCUSSION: BNSF has a 30 metre wide right-of-way along its main line. Aside from access, all works associated with the North Colebrook Siding will occur within BNSF's right-of-way. Therefore, under Section 98 of the Canada Transportation Act, BNSF does not require Delta's approval to proceed with the project. Delta's Chief Administrative Officer sent a letter to BNSF in July 2013 requesting that BNSF representatives come before Council to explain the project and answer questions (Attachment C).
Page 2 of 3 BNSF Railway Company North Colebrook Siding 13480-02/BNSF December 18, 2013 Engineering Implications Currently, BNSF is proposing to construct the North Colebrook Siding along the east side of its right-of-way. There may be an opportunity as part of the works to address existing drainage conveyance issues in the area through improvements to railway crossings of the Northeast Interceptor channel along BNSF's main line south of 72 Avenue. This area currently experiences localized flooding from Cougar Creek and Blake Creek during heavy rainfall events. Access Implications Pedestrians regularly cross the BNSF right-of-way to access Metro Vancouver's Delta South Surrey Regional Greenway, which is just west of the rail line along this segment (See Attachment 0 for a map of the Greenway). Safe pedestrian access to the Greenway is available at 64 Avenue and 72 Avenue, where trails from the sidewalk lead down to the Greenway. Despite these facilities, BNSF staff have observed and voiced concerns over the number of unauthorized private pedestrian crossings along this stretch of rail line. Given the safety concerns associated with these unauthorized crossings, BNSF has requested continuing dialogue with Delta staff about possible measures to enhance pedestrian safety for those who seek to cross the rail line. Schedule and Public Notification Once BNSF has chosen a final alignment for the North Colebrook Siding, a detailed design for the works will be developed. BNSF plans to initiate the construction in 2014. Railway companies are not required to undertake public consultation when constructing within their rights-of-way. BNSF is only required to provide a 60 day public notification of rail construction to adjacent property owners. Implications: Financial Implications - There are no financial implications to Delta... CONCLUSION: BNSF has notified Delta of its intention to construct the North Colebrook Siding from south of 64 Avenue to north of 72 Avenue in North Delta. Staff recommend working with BNSF to seek drainage conveyance improvements and enhancements to pedestrian safety along the rail line. -. V Steven Lan, P.Eng. Director of Engineering Department submission prepared by: Michael Gomm, MPP, Senior Corporate Policy Analyst
Page 3 of 3 BNSF Railway Company North Colebrook Siding 13480-02/BNSF December 18, 2013 ATTACHMENTS: A. Map of BNSF Rail Corridor in the Lower Mainland B. Map of Proposed BNSF North Colebrook Siding C. Letter from George V. Harvie, Chief Administrative Officer dated July 23, 2013 D. Delta South Surrey Regional Greenway
Attachment 'A' _ Page 1 of 1 Map of the BNSF rail corridor within the Lower Mainland Port Moody Port Coqulllam Maple Ridgl Surrey ".. BNSf
Attachment B Page 1 of 1,
Attachment C Page 1 of 2 THE CORPORATION OF DELTA From rhl' office or George \1. Harvie Chief Administrative Officer July 23, 2013 Richard Wagner, Manager Public Projects BNSF Railway Company 2454 Occidental Avenue South, Suite 20 Seattle, WA 98134 Dear Mr. Wagner, Re: North Colebrook Siding On June 26, 2013, BNSF's Grant Nightingale and consultants from Aecom met with The Corporation of Delta to discuss the proposed North Colebrook Siding along Segment 56 of the New Westminster Subdivision. It is our understanding that the motivation behind constructing the North Colebrook Siding is business driven - triggered by the increased rail traffic anticipated at Fraser Surrey Docks. The Corporation of Delta is concerned that the siding will be used primarily to park coal trains. While BNSF has indicated that this will not be an issue, Delta believes that the surrounding community may be impacted by blowing coal dust from rail cars parked uncovered on the siding for extended periods of time. Aecom has indicated that the preferred alignment for the North Colebrook Siding is along the east side of the main line right of way. If this alignment is chosen, Delta's Cougar Creek and Blake Raven Creek will require relocation. BNSF will also need to undertake a geotechnical investigation on Corporation of Delta property. If the North Colebrook Siding is constructed on the west side of the main line right of way, BNSF will require access to areas of the Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area to undertake a geotechnical investigation and possibly siding construction. If the North Colebrook Siding project requires relocation of Delta's water courses, a geotechnical investigation on Delta property or access to the Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area, Delta Council must formally approve these requests. Under the circumstances, it would be appropriate that representatives from BNSF come before Delta Council to explain the project and answer questions.... /2 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, British Columbia, Canada V4K 3E2 Tel: 604 946-3212 Fax: 604 946-3864 E-mail: cao\gjcorp.delta.bc.ca
Attachment C Page 2 of 2 July 23, 2013 Page 2 Please contact me directly at 604-946-3212 to arrange an appropriate time to present your project during a Regular Council Meeting. Yours truly, -- t..-u.f \J. tl- George V. Harvie Chief Administrative Officer cc: Grant Nightingale, BNSF Bill Jenkins, Aecom Mayor Lois E. Jackson Delta Council..; Steven Lan, Director of Engineering
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