Sea Island (British Columbia)

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Vancouver International Airport

The airport first opened for service on Sea Island in 1931, and began servicing commercial flights in 1937. The airport received relatively light traffic for the next fifty years until extensive growth in international traffic, primarily between the United States and Asia, necessitated expansion of service. With investments from the airlines, the Canadian government and a surcharge on tickets for improvement costs, the airport began a significant overhaul in the 1990s.

The airport is now the second largest in Canada, with over 16 million passengers passing through each year. It has grown to three passenger terminals and three main runways servicing over forty airlines.

Land transportation

Russ Baker Way is the main road on the island, connecting Vancouver and the main part of Richmond via the Arthur Laing Bridge, No. 2 Road Bridge, Dinsmore Bridge, Moray Bridge and the Sea Island Bridge. A new bridge is being constructed for the Canada Line, which will run to the airport terminal in 2009. Until the Canada Line is open, Sea Island will continue to be served by the bus rapid transit 98 B-Line, which has a stop at Airport Station.

For those going to the main airport terminal, Grant McConachie Way is the usual route of choice.

Airport vicinity

Since the construction of the airport, efforts have been made by the Canadian Wildlife Service to preserve the sensitive environment of the island. The land is subject to changes caused by both its natural estuary and human impact. With the expansion of the airport during the 1990s and through 2000, care for the environment has matched the airport's growth.Fact|date=July 2008

Around the airport, birds are the primary concern as an aviation hazard to the planes. The island is a hub in the Pacific Skyway migration pattern. Wildlife officers patrol the grounds to keep track of migration patterns of birds and to control their chances of interfering with an aircraft.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology has completed constructing of a new aviation-oriented location near Cessna Drive and Russ Baker Way.

There is a Canadian Coast Guard station near the southwest end of the island. Access to that area of the island is restricted.

A small historic community called Burkeville is situated on the island, located near Miller Road and Russ Baker Way.

ea Island Conservation Area

The conservation area makes up 1.4 square kilometres in the north end of Sea Island. The preserve is out of the flight routes for the airport, so the goal of the wildlife service is to shift animal populations to the area. It is not open to the public, and is patrolled by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

turgeon Bank Wildlife Management Area

Over 50 square kilometres in area, Sturgeon Bank is a marine preserve located off the west side of the island and is made up of intertidal and subtidal waters. Boating is prohibited in the area.

Beaches

Sea Island boasts two public beaches, McDonald Beach Park and Iona Beach Regional Park.

McDonald Beach is operated by the city of Richmond. It is a recreational facility, with picnic areas and boat docking available. The park is located on the northern end of the island, making it accessible from up-river as well as the west bank of the mainland.

Iona Beach is operated by the Greater Vancouver Regional District, and serves a more natural rather than recreational purpose. It features information on the flora and fauna, as well as a walking trail that culminates in a 1.5 kilometer jetty out into the Sturgeon Bank. "(See also: Iona Island, British Columbia.)"

ee also

*Vancouver International Airport
*98 B-Line
*Canada Line
*Airport Station
*Iona Island, British Columbia

External links

* [http://www.yvr.ca/authority/community/si_conservation.asp YVR - Airport Conservation Area]
* [http://www.vancouverairport.com/authority/whoweare/index.asp YVR - Who We Are]
* [http://www.airhighways.com/vanair.htm Air Highways Magazine - Vancouver]