October 28, 2021
SRY is excited to share news of the successful completion of one of our most ambitious capital improvement projects, the Annacis Island Track Capacity Improvement Project. Following the Government of Canada’s investment in June 2020 under the National Trade Corridors Fund, shovels were in the ground by summer building our first passing track on Annacis Island and expanding track capacity in critical areas of the island rail network. In September 2021, we completed the final component of the project with the establishment of a second rail yard on the island, adding significant new track capacity and reducing congestion.
This is a legacy project for SRY and a notable accomplishment given its scale and complexity. Its successful completion inspires pride among the many employees who have contributed over the years to taking this project from inception through to today’s safe operation. SRY is positioned for continued long-term growth on Annacis Island, supporting customers to achieve optimal rail performance and enabling the efficient movement of goods through Canada’s trade corridors.
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January 25, 2021
SRY is pleased to announce the completion of the first part of its $7.2 million Annacis Island Track Capacity Improvement Project in Delta, BC. Through the Government of Canada’s support for infrastructure projects under the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF), SRY’s Annacis Island Track Capacity Improvement Project will improve rail access on Annacis Island and contribute to Canada’s competitiveness in international trade.
The completion of construction of the first of three parts of the project in December 2020, the Annacis Yard Passing Track, is a major milestone in enhancing the performance and efficiency of the rail transportation network. The completion of all three improvement projects will add 1.9 kilometres of new railway track to SRY’s rail network on Annacis Island, as well as re-configure the network in key areas to reduce bottlenecks and add track capacity, and upgrade railway trackage to a heavier standard. The project is expected to complete in 2022.
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November 18, 2020
It is with honour that SRY accepts the Railway Association of Canada’s 2020 Safety Award for the creation of a close call reporting program. At SRY, we share a collective belief that every employee should go home safely to their loved ones every day. Essential to that belief is a strong safety culture, which cannot be achieved overnight or alone. The close call reporting program helps to identify and address non-reportable incidents, and is administered entirely by employees. The program is a reflection in practice of employees working together to be safer and looking out for each other. Thank you to Locomotive Engineer Ron Woods and Conductor Sherri Vieira, who were instrumental in creating and implementing the initiative.
Canada’s Rail Safety Award Winners 2020
Congratulations to @sryraillink on their 2020 RAC Safety Award for the creation of a close-call incident reporting program to identify and address non-reportable incidents which can be indicators of other weaknesses and gaps. https://t.co/JxumhaoYev pic.twitter.com/JAcGvntvqv
— RAC (@RailCanada) November 18, 2020
May 12, 2020
In response to the urgent needs of B.C.’s most vulnerable citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, Seaspan and Southern Railway, with the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, are donating $600,000 to the United Way to support neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. These funds will be used to provide support and critical services to seniors, people living with a disability, people living in poverty, single parents, people with mental health concerns, among others.
“Seaspan and Southern Railway are deeply committed to the communities where we operate and where our employees live,” said Kyle Washington, Executive Chairman of Seaspan. “Care is an important value across the Washington companies and the Foundation. Now more than ever our neighbours are in critical need of support. This donation is meant to support innovative programming that has significant impact.”
As a result of this gift, United Way will launch a Community Builder Program in eight neighbourhoods connecting those who are most in need to support where they live, including micro-grants to provide community connections for neighbourhoods and funding to service agencies through COVID-19 relief grants. The initial eight hubs will be activated on the North Shore, Squamish Nation, New Westminster, Delta, Abbotsford and Victoria/Esquimalt.
The $600,000 donation includes a $150,000 matching challenge. For every dollar Seaspan and Southern Railway employees and partners and United Way donors contribute, the Foundation will match up to $150,000. This will expand the Community Builder hubs to five more areas that have been most impacted by COVID-19, bringing the total number of neighbourhoods receiving support from this initiative to 13 across the province. Contributions to the donation matching challenge can be made going here to the United Way’s dedicated donation page.
“I am humbled and heartened by the leadership frontline workers, who are staring COVID-19 in the face every day, have been demonstrating, with strength and selflessness. These challenging times remind us all of the importance of a strong and supportive community with neighbours helping neighbours,” said Mark Lamarre, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards. “On behalf of Seaspan and our sister company Southern Railway, we’re grateful to have a strong United Way partnership to rely on that gets immediate and direct help to those most in need.”
“This extraordinary gift from Seaspan, Southern Railway, and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, allows us to immediately put money and resources where they are needed now,” said Michael McKnight, President and CEO, United Way of the Lower Mainland. “Starting today, and over the next five months, these critical funds will allow United Way to support hundreds of thousands of people across 13 neighborhoods in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. That is a meaningful impact.”
Seaspan is a pioneer of the marine industry in B.C. and Canada, and one of most well-known and visible companies in the province. Seaspan is the largest manufacturer in BC with a highly skilled and dedicated workforce of more than 3,500, and operations in coastal communities including North Vancouver, Delta and Esquimalt. Seaspan marine vessels and operations are landmarks on our waters and shores.
Southern Railway of British Columbia is a major transporter of freight in British Columbia. Based in New Westminster and Abbotsford, SRY safely delivers the best rail solutions to local businesses and customers throughout the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island, providing them with seamless rail connections to international and North American markets.
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. Funding for the Foundation comes from the profits of The Washington Companies and personal contributions from the Washington Family. Since its inception in 1988, the Foundation’s mission has remained unchanged – helping the most vulnerable realize their full potential.
Jonathan X. Coté, Mayor, City of New Westminster
“I’m so pleased that New Westminster has been selected as one of the first community hubs to benefit from the Community Builder Program. Thank you to Seaspan, Southern Railway, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and United Way of the Lower Mainland for supporting our local organizations during this difficult time and helping lift up our community as we go through this crisis.”
Henry Braun, Mayor, City of Abbotsford
“The Local Love Community Builder program will help deliver much needed support to vulnerable people in Abbotsford. On behalf of the City of Abbotsford, we appreciate the generosity of Seaspan, Southern Railway, The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and United Way of the Lower Mainland to help provide this swift and needed support to our community.”
Linda Buchanan, Mayor, City of North Vancouver
“Our community has seen unprecedented challenges as a result of this pandemic, but we have also seen unprecedented levels of community spirit, hope, civic engagement, and generosity. With this funding communities will be better equipped to support the needs of the most vulnerable in our community. On behalf of the City of North Vancouver I would like to thank Seaspan, Southern Railway and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for their generosity.”
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