Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal Redevelopment - Phase 1

A milestone event took place in Yarmouth on Wednesday to celebrate the completion of Phase 1 redevelopment work at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022 - Yarmouth, N.S. – A representative from the federal government joined municipal leaders today onboard the CAT Ferry, docked at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal, for a milestone celebration event. Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Pam Mood, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth, John Cunningham, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, and Nicole Albright, Deputy Warden of the Municipality of Argyle, came together to celebrate the completion of crucial redevelopment work at the ferry terminal.

The revitalization of the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal has been a top priority in recent years. Tourism is one of Nova Scotia’s most important industries, and re-establishing ferry service from Maine to Nova Scotia plays a significant role in its growth. The work completed during Phase 1 redevelopment helps ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to operate the service successfully, strengthening the stability of the service for years to come.

“Nearly 3 years ago the Town of Yarmouth celebrated the Ground-breaking event to mark the start of construction on the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal. Today we are thrilled to announce that the terminal is now back in service, reviving the vital link between the gateway to Nova Scotia and the United States. This redevelopment project will provide residents of Yarmouth and the region with safe and efficient transportation options and connection to global markets, while helping us welcome tourists to our beautiful province and provide unique visitor experiences.” - Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax west, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“Today was a wonderful day, and we had a lot to celebrate,” said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood. “A great deal of work has been completed on our ferry terminal, and there are many to thank for their hard work. Their efforts ensured the work was completed in time for this tourist season. It’s been challenging the last few years without the service, but we made it through, and we now have an upgraded terminal to welcome visitors back to Nova Scotia. Having the CAT sailing into our harbour once again is a blessing for Yarmouth and all of Nova Scotia.”

“As an entry point to Canada, the Ferry Terminal project is not only huge in scope, but it’s having a huge impact on how we move forward as a region, a province, and a country – especially after living through a pandemic,” said John Cunningham, Warden for the Municipality of Yarmouth. "We are thrilled to have the ferry running again, and with the redeveloped ferry terminal, it’s like a fresh restart for our community."

"As a region, we all recognize how important these upgrades are as the terminal is vital for the ferry to operate," said Argyle Deputy Warden, Nicole Albright. "The improvements are impressive, especially when you look at the changes made to the terminal yard. The relocation of the inspection lines makes it more convenient for the Canada Border Services Agency, and the new ticketing booths improve the flow of traffic for Bay Ferries. The economic impact of the CAT ferry on the tourism industry, especially in our southwest region, cannot be understated. Today we are very grateful for everyone who worked so hard to make certain these upgrades were completed ahead of the 2022 sailing season."

Since the project kicked off in 2019, considerable work has been completed at the terminal. Infrastructure Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, and three municipalities came together to provide $9 million in joint funding. The federal and provincial governments each contributed up to $3 million through the Small Communities Fund. The Town of Yarmouth ($1.5 Million), the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth ($1.2 Million), and the Municipality of the District of Argyle ($300K) contributed the remainder of project funding.

Work Completed During Phase 1 Redevelopment

The entire project saw work split into distinct “work packages”.

Work package #1: this package was completed in the spring of 2020 by local contractor, Graham Construction. Work for this package included both construction and demolition at the site. new roofing was installed on the main terminal building, and Graham oversaw the demolition of the old passenger gangway and stevedore building, which were no longer needed in the new configuration.

Work package #2: the package involved upgrades to the main terminal building envelope. Work was awarded to RCS Construction and included new windows and doors, new vestibules, brick repairs, and siding.

Work Package #3: this portion of the project saw important upgrades completed in the terminal yard. Crews installed underground site services for water, sewer, and electrical and steel piles and concrete foundations were added to house the new ticket booths for Bay Ferries and PIL Booths for CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency).

Work Package #4: this package involved the construction of a new stevedore building, a one story, wood frame structure with metal siding.

Work Package #5: work package #5 involved the installation of new ticket and PIL Booths.

Work Package #6: this stage saw the installation of three new canopies in the terminal yard, with all accompanying electrical, lighting and soffits. The canopies provide cover for the new PIL and ticket booths.

Work Package #7: involved final fitting up of both CBSA and Bay Ferries booths, new yard lighting, CCTV cameras, PA system, signage, and demolition of the old north and south canopies.

Work Package #8: Upgrades to the CBSA spaces to address post-Covid changes in security and operational requirements.

Additional phases will be needed in other areas at the terminal. Future projects will include wharf repairs, pontoon replacement, and an expansion and major renovation to the terminal building.

Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Phase I upgrades at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal continued through the summer, and as the construction season nears an end, only a few pieces of work remain. The entire project saw work split into nine distinct work packages, all of them set to be completed by the end of 2021. The terminal will be ready and operational for the 2022 sailing season.

The first three work packages were fully completed last spring. Work for these packages included demolition of various structures at the site, roof replacements, and many improvements to the envelope of the main terminal building. New windows and doors, new vestibules, brick repairs, and siding have all been added to the building.

Also completed last spring were Important upgrades in the terminal yard. Underground site services for water, sewer, and electrical were added and steel piles and concrete foundations were installed to house new ticket booths for Bay Ferries and PIL Booths for CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency). The construction of a new stevedore building was also completed as part of “work package #4”.

Key projects completed over the summer were part of three work packages. “Work package #5” involved installation of the new ticket and PIL Booths. While most booths were installed during the summer months, there was a brief delay receiving four PIL booths. The booths were received and are now installed.

“Work package #6” was completed and featured the installation of three new canopies along with the necessary electrical, lighting and soffits. “Work package #7” which involved final fitting up of both CBSA and Bay Ferries booths, new yard lighting, CCTV cameras, PA system, signage, and demolition of the old south canopy, has now been completed.

Final work for Phase I will see asphalt patching in the yard, a washroom renovation as part of “work package #8”, and communications cabling. A final “work package #9” will feature more terminal building upgrades to accommodate security and operational requirements requested by CBSA. Future projects as part of additional Phases will include wharf repairs, pontoon replacement, and an expansion and major renovation to the terminal building.

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Phase I upgrades at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal are now in the final stages. The project, which saw work split into seven distinct work packages, is set to be fully completed by summer.

The first three work packages for the project are now fully completed. Upgrades in these packages included demolition of various structures at the site, roof replacements, and considerable improvements to the envelope of the main terminal building. New windows and doors, new vestibules, brick repairs, and siding have all been added to the building.

Important upgrades were also completed in the terminal yard. Crews installed underground site services for water, sewer, and electrical and steel piles and concrete foundations were added to house new ticket booths for Bay Ferries and PIL Booths for CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency).

“Work package #4” involved the construction of a new stevedore building which will be completed this month. The new building is a one story, wood frame structure with metal siding.

“Work package #5” involves the installation of new ticket and PIL Booths. The tender for the manufacture of the booths was awarded in November and the finished units are expected to arrive on site in May for installation. “Work package #6” involves the installation of three new canopies which were erected today. Crews will work through the coming weeks on electrical, lighting and soffits for the canopies which will provide cover for the new booths once installed.

The final work for Phase I will come in “Work package #7” which involves installation of both CBSA and Bay Ferries booths, new yard lighting, CCTV cameras, PA system, signage, and demolition of the old south canopy. These items are currently in the design phase and will be completed by summer along with asphalt patching of the yard.

Future projects will include wharf repairs, pontoon replacement, and an expansion and major renovation to the terminal building.

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Despite having to deal with potential COVID-19 hurdles, a full renovation of the Yarmouth Fire Hall and the completion of several other major projects highlight a successful construction season for the Town of Yarmouth.

Wednesday, November 4th - Yarmouth, N.S. – With winter just around the corner, the Town of Yarmouth’s 2020 construction season is almost at an end. Despite the arrival of COVID-19 and the restrictions and limitations that came with it, the Town’s Engineering Department was able to push through and complete a number of major projects ranging from underground infrastructure replacement to ferry terminal upgrades and most recently, a major renovation of the Yarmouth fire hall.

The hall was in real need of upgrading from a functional point of view. The second floor had become unusable due to a number of issues, so the main focus was a renovation that would bring back what used to be a community gathering hub and popular venue for fundraising events. Time and heavy usage had taken its toll and the best solution was a complete makeover.

After nearly six months of work that makeover is complete. Beginning with a walk up the main stairwell, the hall is once again a bright, welcoming and functional space. Every surface including the ceilings were fully refurbished. Major washroom upgrades were carried out including a fully accessible, barrier-free washroom with an adult change table. The hall also now offers a beautifully renovated kitchen and bar along with a new HVAC system. A separate, smaller project is underway that will see space on the lower level transformed into an operational lounge for volunteers.

A number of safety improvements that were required to get the space up to code were also carried out. Extensive fire spray proofing was added which involved spraying the underside of the steel structure and deck to provide a fire rating between the lower and upper floor. Other safety improvements saw exit stair construction brought up to code, including fire rating and railings. Finally, fire separations were applied to walls, and emergency lighting was installed.

According to Interim Fire Chief Mike Deveau, having the space back is a morale booster and will help with efforts to recruit new members.

“It’s an important renovation and move forward for the entire Department,” said Deveau. “For so many years the upper floor at the hall was a big part of who we are, especially when it comes to the volunteers. They relied on it for all kinds of fundraising and community events. When it became unusable, they lost some of their place within the organization and didn’t have a home. This renovation is big as it brings back a place that was special for them and the entire department.”

While it will be some time before the space will see any larger scale community events, Deveau envisions the renovation of the upper level and the addition of an operational lounge as key to encouraging new volunteers to come on board.

“Our goal is to be progressive in our approach to adding new members, and these spaces will serve to provide volunteers with comfortable and functional spaces they need. At the same time, it provides a facility that can give back to the community as a gathering place for years to come.”

Garian Construction of Yarmouth carried out the work and President Ian McNicol had the following to say about completing the project.

“It was great to be a part of this revitalization of the fire hall. The project went very well and we attribute that to Town Engineer Marc Brophy as a first mention, our subcontractors, and also the cooperation of the career firemen on site. We are very pleased with how the renovations turned out and I'm sure the community will be as well.”

When work began, it was scheduled to be completed over a five-month timeframe but delays due to COVID-19 regulations were a real possibility. As it turned out, those delays never happened. Garian, as well as other construction crews working on various town projects, were able to keep moving and keep people employed during a time when many were working from home or not working at all. Town-led projects alone saw dozens of workers from a variety of different trades kept busy for most of 2020.

While happy work at the hall is completed, Town of Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood is most excited about the ability of Town Engineering staff to push through and get so many important projects finished with COVID restrictions in place.

“The amount of work completed by our Engineering staff this year is simply phenomenal,” said Mood. “We were hit with COVID-19 in March and much of the province was shutdown, so the outlook on getting work completed seemed a little bleak. But our staff and construction crews managed to work within the safety guidelines and plow through some big projects. We are happy to have the work done, but also happy that it supported employment in the construction sector during a tough time.”

Several other key infrastructure projects have been finished, or substantially completed, despite challenges posed by COVID-19.

Here’s a summary of completed projects:

Glebe Street Sewer Separation Project - This project involved replacing a 100-year-old combined sewer system with separate storm and sanitary services. The upgrade now sees clean rain water to go directly to a harbour outfall and not be sent to the sewer treatment plant, resulting in a significant reduction in electricity use at the plant. This reduces the Town’s overall GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. This type of sewer separation is planned for Parade Street in 2021 as Phase 2 of the project. The traffic lights at the intersection of Main Street and Parade Street will also be replaced under this contract.

Glebe Street Garage/Parking Lot (located directly behind Town Hall) – This project allowed the Town to extend the useful life of the concrete structure beneath the parking lot. The contractor removed asphalt to allow for an engineer assessment of the structure and to inspect the top of the slab for possible deterioration. Significant concrete repair work was undertaken to strengthen the structure and a waterproofing membrane was installed to prevent water infiltration which had been causing damage. In additions to repairs to the concrete, work was done on the support columns and underside of the slab. New doors and lighting were installed and to finish, waterproofing and new asphalt was put down over the garage. The remainder of the lot was sealed with new lines painted. The end result is a valuable storage and work area for the Town.

Ferry Terminal “Package #1” - Demolition and Roofing – This project was carried out by Graham Construction of Yarmouth and finished last spring. Graham installed new roofing on the main terminal building and oversaw the demolition of the passenger gangway and stevedore building, which were no longer needed in the new configuration.

Ferry Terminal “Package #2” - Ferry Terminal “Package #2” involved upgrades to the main terminal building envelope. Work for this package was awarded to RCS Construction and included new windows and doors, new vestibules, brick repairs, and siding. This work package is set to be completed in December.

Lake Milo Boathouse - This renovation was completed by another local contractor, Delmar Construction. This project consisted primarily of updating the washrooms and all fixtures, and adding a barrier-free washroom.

Bulk Water Station - located at the corner of Forest Street and Industry Avenue, this 24/7 self-serve water station was built to serve non-connected residents of Yarmouth County, especially during times of drought. Since opening on September 24th, it has dispensed over 3 million litres of water. On its busiest day, it served 154 customers/fills.

Haley Road Trail “Phase I” – This project saw the development of a multi-use trail/sidewalk installed on the Haley Road between Forest Street and Parade Street. Phase 2 is set for next spring and will see the trail extended from Parade Street to Starrs Road. Phase 3 will come later and will see the trail extend from the high school up to Forest Street, then south on the Haley Road to Argyle Street.

Brenton Water Tank Maintenance – the water storage tank located in Brenton had its exterior refurbished and painted.

Projects “in the works”:

Yarmouth Ferry Terminal – “Work Packages 3-6” – package #3 involves installation of foundations and underground site services for water, sewer, and electrical. Steel piles and concrete foundations have been constructed to house ticket booths for Bay Ferries and PIL Booths for CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency). “Work package #4” involves the construction of a new stevedore building which is well underway. “Work package #5” will see the construction of the new PIL booths for CBSA. This package is currently out for tender and is expected to be delivered for March of 2021. “Work package #6” will see the installation of the booths and accompanying canopies and is set for early spring 2021.

Main Street Sewer Separation, Parade Street to John Street – this is a two-stage project. The first stage involves the complete replacement of sewer and water infrastructure. Much like the Glebe Street sewer separation project, this stage involves replacing the combined rock sewer with separate sanitary and storm pipes and the installation of a new water service line. At this time, Aberdeen Construction has replaced the sewer and water lines and is now installing new curbing, with paving to follow before month’s end. Stage 2 of the project is a streetscape project which will begin in early spring 2021.

Friday, August 7th, 2020 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Phase I upgrades at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal are progressing well and ahead of schedule. While a series of projects have been completed, work continues at the site with a planned completion for all Phase I upgrades by spring of 2021.

After several months of site investigations and design consultations, Phase I upgrades were split into 5 distinct work packages. “Work Package #1”, which was completed this spring by Graham Construction involved both construction and demolition at the site. Graham installed new roofing on the main terminal building and oversaw the demolition of the passenger gangway and stevedore building, which were no longer needed in the new configuration.

“Work package #2” involves upgrades to the main terminal building envelope. Work for this package was awarded to RCS Construction and includes new windows and doors, new vestibules, brick repairs, and siding. At this time, window removals are underway and the projected finish for this work package is expected to be completed by December.

RCS Construction will also perform infrastructure upgrades involved in “Work package #3”. At a July 22^nd meeting, Town Council approved awarding the package to RCS as the lone bidder of this specific portion of work which includes the installation of foundations and underground site services for water, sewer, and electrical. Steel piles and concrete foundations will be constructed to house ticket booths for Bay Ferries and PIL Booths for CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency). Work is expected begin next month.

“Work package #4” will go to tender in early fall. This package will see the construction of a new stevedore building. The building replaces the old structure demolished in package #1, and is located close to the wharf. It will be a one story, wood frame structure with metal siding.

Finally, “Work package #5” will see the installation of new ticket and PIL Booths with accompanying canopies. This package will also go to tender in early Fall. Once work for the is package has been completed, Phase I of terminal upgrades comes to an end. All five packages are projected to be completed by Spring, in advance of the 2021 CAT sailing season.

Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 - Yarmouth, N.S. – The Town of Yarmouth recently awarded the first tender package for phase I of the redevelopment of the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal. The tender, which closed January 30th, was advertised provincially on the Nova Scotia procurement website and awarded to Graham Construction of Yarmouth.

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

Important redevelopment work is about to begin at the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal. On Friday, May 3rd at 2:30pm, please join:

• Colin Fraser, MP for West Nova
• the Honourable Zach Churchill, MLA for Yarmouth
• Pam Mood, Mayor, Town of Yarmouth
• Daniel Allen, Councillor, Municipality of the District of Yarmouth
• Danny Muise, Deputy Warden, Municipality of the District of Argyle

CBCL Limited of Halifax has been awarded the contract to provide engineering services for Phase 1 redevelopment of the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. – With work set to begin next month, the Town of Yarmouth has awarded the contract for the Prime Consultant for Phase 1 of the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal Redevelopment. Following a recommendation at a recent council meeting, a motion was passed to hire CBCL Limited, an Engineering and Environmental, Design and Consulting firm based in Halifax.

After issuing a request for proposals (RFP) last month, the Town of Yarmouth Engineering Department received several submissions from interested firms. Engineering staff and members of the Ferry Terminal Project Steering Committee undertook an exhaustive evaluation process. The committee established a team to assist with evaluation questions, point scoring, and recommendations. Submissions were tested based on a pre-defined point scoring system included in the RFP package. After much discussion and individual scoring, the evaluation team recommended CBCL .

John Flewelling, President and CEO says “CBCL is pleased to have been selected to provide engineering services for the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal Upgrade Project. We are excited to be working with the Town of Yarmouth and project stake holders to generate the best value for the investments being made at the terminal facilities.”

CBCL will be on the ground in Yarmouth soon. Initial work will include detailed design, testing, and inspections. Work ranges from measurements and visual inspections to destructive testing with major construction and demolition beginning in the fall of 2019. All work for the project is slated for completion by the fall of 2021.

A Project Kick-Off Event takes place on Friday, May 3^rd at 2:30pm at the Ferry Terminal. The event will be hosted by Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, the Honourable Zach Churchill, MLA for Yarmouth; Pam Mood, Mayor, Town of Yarmouth; Daniel Allen, Councillor, Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, and Danny Muise, Deputy Warden, Municipality of the District of Argyle. All are welcome to attend.

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About CBCL

CBCL Limited is an employee-owned company providing Engineering and Environmental Design and Consulting Services with approximately 350 employees and offices in all four Atlantic Provinces and in Ottawa Ontario. CBCL has extensive experience with ferry terminals throughout Atlantic Canada and has a longstanding working relationship with the Town of Yarmouth and local contractors. Website: http://www.cbcl.ca/index.html