Noise and dust could be on the rise when construction is underway on a grain terminal across the river in Surrey.
Fraser Grain Terminal has informed some Quayside residents about work that’s starting at 11041 Elevator Rd., which is adjacent to the Fraser Surrey Docks site across the river in Surrey. Beginning Feb. 11, pile driving is beginning on the site.
“This work is required to construct the foundations for the terminal,” said a letter to residents. “The first phase of this work will occur for approximately one week. The second phase is scheduled to commence in late February and will take approximately three weeks to compete. We will provide notifications for any additional pile driving occurring after March 2019.”
In addition, a number of other construction activities will be taking place on the site during the next four months, including sheet piling, which “uses vibration to secure a ground-retaining structure.” This work is expected to begin in early February and take about three months.
According to Fraser Grain Terminal, the hours of work for construction activities will be consistent with the port authority’s approved hours of construction, which is from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday (excluding statutory holidays.)
“A temporary increase in noise and dust levels around the project site is anticipated during construction, and our goal is to help minimize disruption as much as possible by using industry best practices,” said the letter to neighbours. “Neighbours may hear construction noise typically associated with this type of work including sheet piling and pile driving for ground-improvement activities.”
In January, the City of New Westminster heard from numerous downtown New Westminster residents who were concerned about the noise of pile driving and construction activities at a site on New Westminster’s waterfront.
Last November, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority approved the project permit application for this construction work in Surrey, which is expected to be complete in December 2020.
According to Fraser Grain Terminal, the new facility will be used to ship bulk grain products including wheat, barley, oil seeds, pulses and other specialty grains. After arriving at the facility by rail, grains will be transferred directly onto vessels or into storage solos.
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority recently cancelled a permit for a coal transfer facility at Fraser Surrey Docks, a project that was opposed by many groups including the Quayside Community Board, the City of New Westminster and many environmental groups.
