The new 80th Street overpass will be a big help to business at the Boundary Bay Airport, says Delta Mayor Lois Jackson.
"Once completed, the overpass will ensure unimpeded access to the airport and will be a boon to the development of the airport's industrial land as well as local farmers and aircraft operators," she said at a Delta Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at the airport Wednesday.
The overpass, needed because of the increasing frequency and length of trains to and from Deltaport, will be finished on time and on budget prior to June 2012, she noted.
Delta has also improved secondary access to the airport by repaving 72nd Street and installing a full traffic signal at the intersection of 72nd and Ladner Trunk Road, Jackson said.
The mayor noted an advanced warning system will also be implemented on Ladner Trunk Road to divert drivers to 80th Street in the event of a train blocking 72nd Street.
Delta is also working on a master servicing plan for the airport, Jackson said, adding the focus of the plan is to ensure developable industrial lands at the airport are pre-serviced and ready for business.
Delta council has approved approximately $2.9 million to undertake phase one of the plan, she said, noting the municipality will need to recoup that cost from future tenants.
Alpha Aviation president Lynda Hogarth also spoke at the luncheon. Alpha leases and operates the municipally-owned airport.
"We're making great progress going forward," she said.
She said since Delta extended its lease to Alpha until 2099 earlier this year there's been a lot more interest in the airport in terms of industrial development.
Alpha has also recently entered a fuel agreement with Air BP and introduced a new card lock system, which allows fuel to be offered at lower prices.
"We would like to become Western Canada's industrial airport of choice," Hogarth said.
dwillis@delta-optimist.com
