On Time, On Budget and Accident free

They held a celebration on Friday as the Fairview Container port reached the halfway mark of the project, making good progress and springing much optimism in the local community.

With a cake, a history lesson about and some kind words for the area, and a picture for the paper, the workers and port officials acknowledge the mid-way point of the mega projects construction phase.

While they praised the work so far, the hint was in the air that Phase II won’t be too far behind, the details of the story were found on the front page of the Daily News on Monday.

JUBILATION AS RACE TO BUILD PORT IS ALREADY HALF RUN
Container facility surges ahead: on time, on budget, and accident-free
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Monday, December 11, 2006
Pages one, three and five

The Fairview Container Terminal Project is officially halfway to completion.

“This container terminal project has been a dream, a vision that has been growing for well over 10 years, so to come down to take a look at what’s happening here and see it actually physically being built is very emotional for people here in Prince Rupert.” Don Krusel, Prince Rupert Port Authority president and CEO, told port workers during a celebration of the accomplishments on Friday.

“Prince Rupert and the region has been ravished by a really difficulty down-turn. The industry that helped the economy of this region, this community has basically crumbled.

“So for this community, this is more than just a dream for them, it’s the answer to a prayer and that’s why you see them driving by up on the lookout everyday.”

The port has 144 people working on the project, of which 67 are local and 11 are from surrounding First Nations communities. The port project includes eight local outfits working in sub-contractor roles, nearly 80 local companies acting as suppliers, as well as a Rupert organization at the project manager/consultant level.

“We wanted to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you and recognize each and every one of you that has a hand in getting us to this point,” he said. “It’s very significant, this project is on time, and on budget and that is a tremendous feat, given the fact that almost every other major project in western Canada is over-budget and running behind.
“We know we have you to thank for that.”

Workers have braved the elements, continued the pace of development at a frantic pace as the days have drawn shorter and, most importantly they’ve done it safely with no serious accidents in more than 341,600 working hours.

“You guys are out there in the early morning hours when it’s still dark, the rain is coming down the wind is howling, an you’re there – and then you’re leaving when it’s also dark, “ he said.

“The fact that you’ve brought the project to this point, on time, on budget, and major accident- free, that’s a major accomplishment.

“We really thank you for every day and every hour you’re down there toiling in the elements to make our dreams a reality.”

Building the port are project managers Moffat and Nichol, Westmar consultants, Keystone Environmental and Levelton Engineering, Major contractors are Jaco Powerlines, which has a $1.1 million contract to install 4.5 kilometres of power lines; Babco Electric Group which has $3.5 million contract to engineer, manufacture and install an integrated electrical system for the terminal cranes, including new 69kV transformers to power the new container port, Ledcor, which holds a $7.5 million contract to design and construct administration and special marine buildings; Western Industrial Contractors/Fraser River Pile and Dredge, a $32 million contract for the construction of the new dock; and a $41.1 million contract held by BA Blacktop and PRTC-Northland contracting to convert the existing bulk handling facility into a container terminal. The port is aiming to have the terminal completed by August or September of next year, with the first ship arriving in October.

With the construction of Phase One of the Fairview Container Terminal halfway done, the Prince Rupert Port Authority is aggressively pursuing the construction of Phase Two in order to meet the demand of the marketplace.

Phase One, will see the existing terminal converted to handle up to 500,000 containers per year, while Phase Two will triple that amount, up to two million containers per year. The port is currently in the process of doing the environmental studies and all the regulatory activity that has to take place prior to construction of Phase Two. The construction of which will likely commence in the first part of 2008.