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ARTICLE - Langley Times

VALTAC committe to host public rally/picnic

By Natasha Jones
Times Reporter

Aug 08 2007

The Valley Transportation Advisory Committee (VALTAC) is inviting the public to a picnic and rally, to encourage more support for its stand on transportation issues.

VALTAC’s country picnic in the park will be on Saturday, Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Douglas Park.

Committee spokesman Sonya Paterson said the group wants to encourage members and the public “to get on track and re-establish passenger rail service to the Valley.”

Guest speakers include John Cummins, MP for Delta; Gordon Price, a former Vancouver councillor and member of the Liveable Region Coalition, and Peter Holt, director for the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society.

Paterson said that by holding the rally and picnic, VALTAC hopes to improve awareness of the transportation crisis affecting the Fraser Valley.

She said VALTAC advocates a study that will examine the long-term impact of rail traffic. She said that in April, 2006, MP Mark Warawa left a meeting with Transport Canada officials, 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,”
Paterson reports Warawa as saying.

The plan “falls in line with a master transportation plan that Langley residents and municipal leaders have been asking for,” he added.

Provincial Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon advocates a transit plan which includes the whole Fraser Valley as a key element in the expanded TransLink.

Both Langley councils have supported finding a better vision for rail traffic in the Valley.

“VALTAC . . . urges public support to turn these words into actions,”
Paterson said.

VALTAC is a strong advocate of re-establishing passenger rail service on the Interurban line. Cummins, who has an interesting perspective on implementing heavy freight improvements through the South Fraser Valley, will be the guest speaker, Paterson said.

With the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society also at the rally/picnic, it will be an opportunity for the public “to let decision makers know how the public feels about more heavy freight through downtown Langley and the need to restore passenger rail to the Fraser Valley,” she added.

Paterson said that nine new overpasses in Langley, Surrey and Delta to accommodate increase freight train traffic “do not make for a healthy environment."

(August 13, 2007)

VALLEY RAIL COUNTRY PICNIC

A transportation message combined with music and food at a Valley Rail Country Picnic sponsored by VALTAC in Douglas Park on Saturday, August 11th. Featured speakers delivered a hopeful message about improving transportation in the South Fraser Valley while suggesting fresh approaches.

Gordon Price former Vancouver Councilor and Director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University noted that the South Fraser Valley would soon be a distinct, major urban place. He urged a continuation of the process which has seen streams left unburied and major areas set aside as rural reserves, something that didn’t happen in Vancouver and Burnaby. There are opportunities to build a well balanced and affordable transportation system using assets such as the existing rail corridor which connects the major centres of the Valley.

Peter Holt, Surrey City’s Interurban Project Manager is putting restored BC Electric Interurban Cars back on the track between Scott Road and Cloverdale. He outlined progress toward a 2009 start. He also set out how a Tourism focused Heritage program could expand into a Community Rail system using existing tracks from Surrey to Chilliwack. The heritage of the Interurban may be merged with advanced propulsion technology for this exciting demonstration.

John Cummins, MP for Delta-Richmond East, merges the interests of Delta and Langley to upgrade heavy freight movements to and from Delta Port. He visualized an industrial corridor along the Fraser River using rail, trucks and barges as well as infrastructure improvements to minimize impacts and maximize efficiency. He cited the Betuweroute, a Dutch rail corridor from Rotterdam to the German border. Built in terrain similar to the Fraser Valley, tunnels and trenches expedite freight movement while preserving livability.

The event attracted about 200 people. The Entertainment and food was donated by Mustangs Bar and Grill. Music was supplied by Under Fire with a special appearance by Michael Cody. The efforts of a cadre of volunteers cooking and providing information were greatly appreciated. More than one visitor was heard to say, “Interurban? They never should have stopped it. When can we get it going again?” Indeed. VALTAC’s website is at www.valtac.org.