Canada's Transport Minister Marc Garneau visited Hamilton to announce an investment of $17.7 million in the Port of Hamilton from the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF). The federal investment will be matched by the Hamilton Port Authority (HPA), in support of the port’s $35.45 million Westport Modernization Project.
This project will see port lands used more efficiently, and be reconfigured to create new employment land development parcels. New transportation infrastructure will improve efficiency and fluidity for port users. Perimeter areas will add landscaping to improve the port-city interface.
HPA’s plan for Westport is to create a multi-modal transportation hub. Currently, not all areas of the Westport zone are accessible by rail from other areas of the port. The improvements will also help address the challenge that the port has been facing in recent years of not having enough development-ready parcels of land to meet the demand from potential port users. HPA expects to leverage today’s investments into $80-90 million in new business attraction.
About Westport
Westport is a 115-hectare area located at the west end of the Port of Hamilton. Among the oldest industrial employment areas in the City of Hamilton, the Port’s landholdings spanning Piers 10-15 were assembled piece-by-piece over many decades. The result is a collection of uses that are not space optimized, with insufficient modal connections (gaps in rail network/no road or rail service at some piers), with infrastructure that in some cases exceeds 100 years old.
About the Modernization Plan
With the support of the NTCF, HPA will transform Westport, with modern transportation infrastructure and optimized land configurations. This plan includes four major elements:
- Marine infrastructure: New dockwall at Pier 12, one of the Port’s busiest piers.
- Rail infrastructure: Upgrades to the existing Westport rail network to provide more cargo handling capacity, and rail service to more individual development parcels. Better rail connectivity will offer all of the tenants at Westport direct access to more than one Class-1 rail provider.
- Roadways & utilities: Improved internal roadways and enhancements to a new container positioning depot will facilitate the internal movement of truck traffic on-port. Utilities and servicing will make Westport a fully networked industrial zone, and development-ready.
- Storage capacity: Grading and paving of cargo laydown areas. New warehouse building for multi-user storage.
Timelines: The primary project investments begin in 2018 and will be completed in December 2020.
This plan includes $35.45 million in transportation and port infrastructure. Funding sources: 50% HPA; 50% NTCF.
Ian Hamilton, President & CEO, Hamilton Port Authority: “This investment recognizes what a critical trade gateway the Great Lakes are, in serving Canada’s most populated area, and the country’s industrial heartland. This project is important because the Port of Hamilton is virtually out of room to grow, yet has unmet demand from users who want to invest in trade-oriented business in Ontario. Improvements to the Westport area will optimize the port’s current footprint, create new development parcels, and help Canadian companies get their goods to global markets.”
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport: “Our government is investing in Canada’s economy by improving our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada’s transportation networks remain competitive and efficient.”
The Honourable Filomena Tassi M.P., Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, Minister of Seniors: “The Hamilton Port Authority is an important economic hub for our ambitious city. Our government recognizes this and I am proud of the investment announced today. It will encourage the creation of jobs and business opportunities in Hamilton and across Canada.”
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger: “Hamilton is proud of our port. The Westport modernization is closely aligned with the city’s vision for the industrial north end. This project will increase employment, add to the municipal tax base, and green the transitional areas between the port and the surrounding neighbourhood. This investment is an example of how our port, federal government and city are working together to grow and diversify Hamilton’s economy now and for the future.”
Kevin Hagen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Fluke Transport: “By modernizing the port lands and transportation infrastructure in the Westport zone, new space will be created to allow for expansion of warehousing and logistics facilities. Numerous local consumer goods companies require this capacity. HPA’s vision to create a multimodal hub at Westport supports a diverse range of industries and businesses, including Fluke Transport. An efficient transportation system benefits Canadian business and Canadian consumers.”
Coby Bullard, Vice President, sales and marketing merchandise & energy, chemicals and plastics, Canadian Pacific: “CP is pleased with today’s strategic public investment in this key piece of freight transportation infrastructure,” said Coby Bullard, CP’s vice president, sales and marketing merchandise & energy, chemicals and plastics. “Through the improved flow of goods and commerce, this investment will create broad public benefits at the Port of Hamilton and in the greater Golden Horseshoe region.”
Source: Port of Hamilton