Trains

The latest status on the two train issues is shown below. For a short history and some background of these issues, scroll down this page. To read the WPRRA submission to the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), click on the link below.

The WPRRA submitted a response to the (EAO) regarding the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) Third Berth Application. You can download and view this document by clicking here.

Trains, whistling at crossings and the VPA third berth application

Whistling at crossings

Over the last fifteen years, the WPRRA has worked diligently to eliminate train whistles. This effort has involved thousands of hours of volunteer effort by dedicated individuals. We have realized amazing success considering we are a nonprofit organization with no financial means and marginal political power. We have reduced the number of active, uncontrolled crossings to two, a huge drop from the thirteen or so in existence when we started. There is plan in place to eliminate the whistles at these final two crossings. See the updated status at the beginning of this page.

Trains are legally obligated to whistle four times at all uncontrolled crossing and all controlled crossings if an anti-whistling by-law has not been put in place. The law states that they must start whistling a quarter mile from the crossing and sound the final whistle as they pass through the crossing intersection. At the train, these whistles are well over 100 dB in volume. At 600 meters from the track, these whistles still reach levels of 95 dB. The WCB recommends hearing protection for extended exposure to sound above 80 dB. Between Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and the trains travelling to the VPA coal and container port at Roberts Bank, about 26 trains a day pass below the ridge. When we still had 13 crossings, there were 1,352 whistles per day!

The VPA third berth application

The VPA is proposing to add a third berth to the two existing berths at Roberts Bank. This additional berth will increase the volume of train traffic by about 40%. To obtain approval for this project, the VPA was forced to undergo two environmental assessments, one with the Provincial EAO office and another Federal assessment. During these assessments, the environmental impacts of the proposed third berth, including the transportation and rail impacts, were considered. The EAO received submissions from a large number of groups including the Cities of Delta, Surrey, Langley and district of Langley. The WPRRA also produced a submission. This submission can be viewed by clicking on the link at the top of this page. Reading this submission will provide you with all the background and issues surrounding the Third Berth Application and the impact on the residents of Panorama Ridge.

The VPA has indicated that it intends to submit a new application for an entirely new, deep water terminal at Roberts Bank. This new terminal will probably double the number of trains that will run beneath the Ridge.

April 2006 Update; The WPRRA met with three VPA representatives regarding train operations below Panorama Ridge. We asked the VPA to consider providing assistance toward the cessation of whistles at 127A Street crossing, the construction of a low noise barrier along the track to deflect wheel noise, and working with the rail operating companies to slow trains during the night to minimize locomotive and wheel noise and vibration. We await their response.