Construction of a new four-lane overpass crossing the rail lines at Holdom Avenue in Burnaby will begin in late 2024. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is delivering the Holdom Overpass project in partnership with the City of Burnaby, CN, and the Government of Canada.  

The port authority has awarded the design-build contract to Aecon-Gateway Infrastructure Group.

The overpass will extend Holdom Avenue south over the rail corridor and Still Creek, connecting it with Douglas Road.

Once complete, there will be an increase of rail capacity for Port of Vancouver terminals, supporting the reliable movement of goods through the region, and improved traffic flow and safety for the Burnaby community.   

The rail corridor through Burnaby is the only rail connection to transport goods and commodities to and from port terminals located in North Vancouver, a vital link in the national supply chain that connects Canadian products like grain and fertilizer to global markets. The rail corridor moves more than 40 million metric tonnes of export cargo, accounting for more than 40 per cent of the port’s total international exports in 2023. 

The City of Burnaby identified the Holdom Overpass as an important solution to provide better access and improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians, commuters, and first responders as part of its transportation plans. 

The port authority has previously completed two phases of public engagement and continuous First Nations consultation, and input from these efforts has helped shape the overpass design. Public space surrounding the overpass will include First Nations cultural recognition, public art, and improved landscaping in the Still Creek and Beecher Creek areas. 

The road enhancements are part of the Burnaby Rail Corridor Improvements Project, a series of road and rail improvements to increase transportation efficiency and trade capacity through Port of Vancouver terminals on the North Shore.