(EnergyAsia, October 5 2011, Wednesday) — The government of Canada’s British Columbia province said it will contribute C$15 million to a C$90-million investment to expand the Ridley Island terminal capacity to support Western Canada’s export of natural resources including coal to Asia. (US$1=C$1.05).

The project, on the Port of Prince Rupert, includes construction of new inbound and outbound rail lines and the extension of on-site rail and utilities. 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.

The C$90-million Road Rail Utility Corridor project is part of a wider C$300-million development of the Port of Prince Rupert. This project includes investments of $30 million from CN railway and C$30 million from the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

The federal government is determining its participation with respect to the remaining C$15 million.

The investment was announced by British Columbia Premier Christy Clark to help the province become the preferred gateway to Asia-Pacific trade and enable its resources to reach world markets.

In Prince Rupert last month, Premier Clark said:

“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.”

Port of Prince Rupert President and CEO Don Krusel said: “This investment by the Government of British Columbia will have a major economic impact in Prince Rupert – and far beyond its shores. The Road, Rail and Utility Corridor will anchor bulk, container, and logistics terminal developments that will build jobs and opportunities along our North American trade routes, reaching clear across the Pacific to rapidly-growing Asian markets and producers.”

CN President and CEO Claude Mongeau said: “CN is pleased to see the government of British Columbia and the Prince Rupert Port Authority come forward with funding commitments for this critical infrastructure at Ridley Island.

“CN is willing to do its part by contributing up to C$30 million to put in place a common-user roadbed to serve new bulk terminals and strategically add export capacity in the Prince Rupert Asia-Pacific Gateway.”