The province is looking for firms able to bring to life the long-promised $303-million Belleville Terminal redevelopment project.
The government this week issued a request for qualifications for the design and construction of a new terminal.
The request is expected to lead to a shortlist of qualified teams that will be invited to participate in a request for proposals.
“We have moved quickly from project approval to procurement to signal that this tourism and trade corridor is critical for the region,” said Transportation Minister Rob Fleming, adding an improved, modern terminal will be an economic generator on both sides of the border and will “make travel more convenient for the hundreds of thousands of passengers travelling through it every year.”
The new facility is required to ensure the terminal complies with the Canada-U.S. Land, Rail, Marine, and Air Transport Pre-clearance Agreement, which allows travellers to complete the U.S. customs and immigration process in Victoria so they can disembark in Washington state with no delay.
The current Belleville Street facility, which houses Black Ball’s Coho car ferry and Clipper’s passenger ferry in two locations, doesn’t comply with the agreement because it doesn’t have space for isolation rooms for questioning and searching passengers.
The first phase of the project involves establishing a temporary terminal in the CPR Steamship Building and a new wharf to accommodate the Clipper and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. That should be complete next year.
Canada Border Services Agency and Black Ball ferry operations will continue to use the existing spaces, ramps and vehicle areas.
The second phase will see the existing FRS Clipper terminal infrastructure demolished and replaced, and creation of a new commercial goods processing facility.
The project, which includes a federal commitment of at least $41.6 million, is expected to be completed in late 2027.
This week, the province also announced funding for 31 new tourism infrastructure projects.
The 31 recipients will receive nearly $15 million with one-time grants from the Destination Development Fund.
The projects include $500,000 for the new Kinsol Trestle Interpretation Centre at the Shawnigan Lake Museum.
“This grant offers us the opportunity to truly showcase local and beloved artist E.J. Hughes, the Kinsol Trestle and other important histories in new exhibits and increase museum amenities so that we can share our amazing history with more visitors,” said museum executive director Lori Treloar.
Other funded projects on the Island include $999,375 for the Kwakiutl First Nation to upgrade the water supply to the Cluxewe Resort and Campground on the north Island, $609,250 for marina upgrades at Port Alice, and $519,833 for a viewing platform and walkway in Qualicum Beach.
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