Construction Update

Neptune Terminals has received approval from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority for an extension to our current 24 hours a day, 7 days a week construction (excluding statutory holidays) for the projects noted below. This extension is for a further six months, ending March 31st, 2021.

• Coal Capacity Project (PP 12-066) – Improvements to Neptune’s steelmaking coal handling operations including a new train dumper building and new conveyors.
• West Quadrant Shiploader Amendment (Permit 12-066-01) – Installation of a new, more modern shiploader as part of Neptune’s steelmaking coal handling system.

For more information on the Neptune Terminals Coal Capacity Project please visit

www.portvancouver.com/neptunecoalcapacityproject.

These extended hours help us maintain safety conditions for our workforce and contractors, and allow better access to Berth 1 for marine construction. It is expected they will also have a beneficial effect on the community by helping us to maintain the overall project schedule.

To mitigate potential community impacts:

• Noise will be continuously monitored by noise monitors around the terminal, ensuring noise levels stay within prescribed City of North Vancouver (CNV) bylaws during daytime construction and lower during nighttime activities.
• Directional LED lights used for construction will be directed toward work areas to minimize the impact on neighbours.
• Construction activities on the evening shift (8 pm to 7 am) are restricted to those that are anticipated to have low impacts to the surrounding community (see list of activities below).
• In the case of complaints, we will investigate to identify the source and confirm whether bylaws were exceeded. Additional mitigation measures will be applied when required.
• All permanent marine pile driving is complete. Neptune will need to install a small number of temporary false piles during the January/February period. We will maximize the use of a vibratory hammer to mitigate associated noise.

Our noise mitigation measures for this project are listed below:

• Equipment will be properly maintained and fitted with exhaust and muffler systems.
• Engines will be turned off when not in use or reduced to idle.
• Where possible, the dominant sound path will be blocked between the source and residences.
• Noise will be continuously monitored and logged, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the duration of the project.
• Noise monitoring will be conducted during particularly noisy activities or if required by permit conditions to confirm effectiveness of mitigation measure
• Neptune’s Director of Engineering and Environment will be notified of any particularly noisy activities forthcoming to advise the affected community
• Both passive and active monitoring of construction noise outside of the regular work hours will be completed. Passive monitoring will be setup and maintained by Neptune and active monitoring will be carried out by the EM or BKL Consultants Ltd. staff on or off-site as required using a hand-held Class 1 precision sound level meter. Noise complaints will be reviewed by Neptune’s Director of Engineering and Environment to check effectiveness of mitigation measures and establish corrective measures as needed.
• Use of noise shrouds for the vibratory equipment if noise levels are shown to exceed the VFPA approved threshold.

Construction activities allowed by this extension will have limited noise impacts on the surrounding community and may include:

• Splicing and welding of piles (no impact pile driving)
• Craning and Lifting
• Riprap Placement
• Diving and underwater work
• Servicing construction equipment
• Testing and inspecting materials
• Moving materials on site (gravel, mats, etc.)
• Laying pipes
• Weld inspections and hydro testing
• Material deliveries/removal
• Positioning bridge preassembled section
• Erecting scaffolding
• Rebar work
• False work and Form work
• Pouring concrete
• Erecting steel
• Excavation
• Geotechnical anchor installation

Questions?

Should there be updates to the activity or schedule for this project over the duration, they will be posted on our website and emailed to our e-distribution list which you can subscribe to on our website.

If you have any questions or concerns about construction activities or other operations at Neptune or wish to be added to our email list, please do not hesitate to contact us at community_questions@neptuneterminals.com or call 604-983-7935.

For the most up to date information about this projects and others at our terminal, please visit click here.