Construction at Ridley Terminals In Prince Rupert continues at a steady pace as the capacity realization project enters its second year of development.
The first year included the installation of two dumper barrels in December 2011, which marked the first actualized capacity growth at the terminal since it was commissioned in 1983. 2011's planned works wrapped up when Arctic Construction finished clearing 44 acres of additional lands for improvement.
The second year will involve site civil works, upgrades of the existing stacker/reclaimers, delivery of a third stacker/reclaimer, installation of additional conveyance, and installation and upgrade of nearly 14 km of rail infrastructure.
After a competitive bidding process Adventure Paving of Prince Rupert, BC was awarded the contract for the site civil works. They mobilized and began work mid-March. Sandvik will be delivering the new stacker/reclaimer in November 2012.
In 2013 construction will continue with the integration of new lands into the existing operation. In 2014 a new tandem rotary dumper and a new thaw shed will be added to the Terminal's operation, doubling total terminal capacity from the initial 12 Mt/y. The Ridley Terminals capacity realization project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2014.
The Ridley Terminals Capacity realization project will cost approximately $200 million and is funded entirely by revenue from operations. The project is expected to require an approximate total of 690,000 person hours, or 350 person years, during the construction period.
In 2007 Ridley Terminals employed 48 employees, today the number of employees totals 131.
Ridley Terminals has added 19 permanent full-time positions since August 2011, and more positions will be added as capacity continues to increase through 2014.
"RTI's federal government mandate to operate in a commercial manner, embraced by our workers, has lifted productivity; made us profitable; and enabled a Benefits Agreement with First Nations. This expansion stage is a major positive result from those changes," noted RTI Chair Bud Smith.