A Project Kick-off and Groundbreaking event took place in Yarmouth on Friday to celebrate the start of a major infrastructure project at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal
Friday, May 3, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Representatives from all three levels of government were on hand at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal today for a project kick-off and groundbreaking event. Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, the Honourable Zach Churchill, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Yarmouth, Pam Mood, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth, Daniel Allen, Councillor for Municipality of Yarmouth, and Danny Muise, Deputy Warden of the Municipality of Argyle, came together to celebrate the start of crucial redevelopment work at the terminal.
Tourism is an important industry for all Nova Scotians, and the Maine to Nova Scotia Ferry plays a key role in its growth. The revitalisation of the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal will ensure that proper infrastructure is in place to operate the ferry service successfully, strengthening the stability of the service for years to come.
Since the funding announcement in September 2018, considerable pre-design work has been completed. The Town of Yarmouth has also awarded the contract for the Prime Consultant to CBCL Limited of Halifax. With an experienced engineering firm hired, work is set to get underway this spring.
“Nova Scotians and visitors from all over North America will soon be able to enjoy improved services and the beautiful new facilities of the revitalized Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal,” said Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “This vital link with our southern neighbors will attract more tourists, and increase economic opportunities for businesses across Nova Scotia. I am happy I could be here today to celebrate this important milestone.”“The Nova Scotia-Maine ferry plays an important role in our tourism industry, particularly in southwest Nova,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Zach Churchill, on behalf of Municipal Affairs Minister Chuck Porter. “The ferry has a positive impact on the region’s local tourism operators, small businesses and the provincial economy. The Government of Nova Scotia is, therefore, pleased to support upgrades to the Yarmouth terminal, which support this ferry service. The upgrades will also help ensure that the visitors we welcome from the eastern seaboard will have an enhanced visitor experience when they arrive in Yarmouth.”
“This is a great day in Yarmouth,” expressed Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood. “With another season of welcoming visitors about to begin, I’m very happy to see this project moving ahead. It represents progress and a bright future for the town and entire region as we continue to grow our tourism industry. As the owner and operator of the ferry terminal, our staff has worked hard in recent months to get us to this point. When this phase of work is complete, the Town of Yarmouth will have a refreshed and welcoming facility we can all be proud of.”
“The Municipality of Yarmouth continues to support major regional transportation infrastructure as part of its investment readiness work,” said Municipality of Yarmouth Councillor, Daniel Allen. “The improvements to the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal, Canada’s link to the USA via the CAT Ferry, are an example of that priority and a demonstration that our communities are open for business. We invite the world to come to Canada through the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal. The Municipality is grateful to its partners: the Government of Canada; the Province of Nova Scotia; the Town of Yarmouth; and the Municipality of Argyle.”
“This project is an integral part of upgrading the ferry service,” said Argyle Deputy Warden Danny Muise. “It will improve working conditions in many aspects of the terminal operations, including better traffic flow for both Bay Ferries and Canada Border Services Agency.”
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Project Scope & Timeline
CBCL Limited has begun to mobilize on detailed design, required testing, and inspections. Work ranges from measurements and visual inspections to destructive testing. To not interrupt regular ferry service, CBCL will concentrate project planning during the operational season (spring and summer) with heavy construction activities taking place in the off-season (fall and winter). Major demolition and construction will begin this fall.
The scope for Phase 1 upgrades has been categorized into eight key items:
1) Pontoon Replacement/Refurbishing
2) Linkspan Bridge Replacement/Refurbishing
3) Yard works to reconfigure the traffic flow
4) Lighting upgrades to meet changes in service hours and security requirements
5) Primary Inspection Line (PIL) Booths for security processing
6) Bay Ferries Limited booths for the service provider and ticket processing
7) Demolition of the aged and unnecessary infrastructure that will be replaced
8) Building upgrades to ensure operational demands
