In MP Mark Warawa's own words...

Mark Warawa Critiques Langley Rail Corridor Task Force Report - March 15,2006

Today Langley MP Mark Warawa expressed concern that the Langley Rail Corridor Task Force final report “did not address the wishes of many Langley residents with regard to alternative routes.” Warawa was surprised to read that the final report from the Task Force on which he sat, did not address the issue of alternative routes for the proposed increase in Deltaport rail traffic Langley.

“The Task Force was designed in response to community dissatisfaction at the way Langley’s concerns over the Deltaport expansion were ignored by officials planning the massive project,” says Warawa. “The community supports the expansion at Deltaport, but believes the volume of rail traffic through Langley will become overwhelming.” The Task Force was established in June 2005.

“I am disappointed that the report did not deal with any discussion around an alternative route and focused only on the short term solution of overpasses. – Alternative routes, even if it is part of a long-term solution, should have been included in the final report.”

Langley Advance Monthly Article - April 2006 by Mark Warawa, MP Langley

It was a pleasure for me to meet with officials of Transport Canada recently and walk away from the meeting with a commitment to initiate a new study on alternative rail line routes through the Lower Mainland.

This is an important step in the long-term planning of road/rail issues which forms the nucleus of the transportation problems in the Langleys. It falls in line with a master transportation plan that Langley residents and municipal leaders have been asking for.

I was very pleased to announce this study, and I thank Transport Canada for its willingness to look at alternative routes and ensure Langley, and other community stakeholders will have a say in what happens to the rail line through their towns.

7. Langley Rail Issues

I am working along with Langley municipal and provincial governments toward a short term goal of the Mufford/Glover interchange as well as a long-term project which could involve rerouting the line outside of Langley's core. I served as member of the Langley Rail Task Force, which is a consortium of stakeholders, including municipal representatives, the VPA, the BC government, the railways and others. The Task Force was charged with looking into all avenues to satisfy the rail issues facing Langley.

I have been very active on this issue and finally gotten Transport Canada to agree to implement a study into alternative routes for the rail line through the Fraser Valley, which should commence in the new year. One suggested alternative route would be to construct a “Y” at Colebrook Road, and utilize the Burlington Northern line as part of the route. We are also looking at the necessity of replacing the Patullo rail bridge and how that project might best fit into the overall rail traffic issue in the lower mainland, not just Langley.

I am working diligently with others on this issue, and consider it a top priority of my mandate. I am confident that the political will exists on all sides to ensure an amiable resolution to theses issues. I would ask that you please contact the Township of Langley website for more information from local government on this most important issue.