The first phase of the $303.9-million redevelopment of the Belleville Terminal is set for completion this fall, including a temporary wharf under construction for the FRS Clipper.
Relocating the Clipper, which provides passenger service between downtown Victoria and Seattle, is part of a plan to ensure ferry traffic at the terminal is not interrupted by construction.
A wharf in the Inner Harbour last used by the now-defunct Victoria-Vancouver passenger ferry was recently taken apart to make way for the temporary Clipper wharf.
Modifications to the CPR Steamship Building and the building that houses the Black Ball Ferry Line, which operates the Coho ferry service between Victoria and Port Angeles, will allow Canadian and American border services to run as usual during construction.
Canada Border Services Agency operations will use the Black Ball building, while U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be housed in the 1926 CPR Steamship building.
The second phase of the project will include demolition of the existing Clipper terminal, construction of a new pre-clearance terminal and replacement of wharf facilities.
The Clipper and Coho, Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs operations will be housed in a new terminal building, which will be designed to move travellers through more efficiently.
Ferry passengers will go through the required U.S. customs procedures in the pre-clearance facility to speed up departure from the terminal when they arrive in Washington state. The upgrade will bring the terminal into compliance with the Canada-U.S. Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Pre-clearance Agreement, by providing space for isolation rooms for questioning and searching passengers.
The refurbished terminal, funded with just over $250 million from the province and a $41.6-million federal contribution, is scheduled to be open in time for the 2028 tourism season.
The City of Victoria is providing land and tax concessions.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming, who gave an update on the project Friday, said rejuvenating the terminal has been under discussion for at least 25 years — he said he was on Victoria council when the terminal site was readied for improvements with rezoning in 1999.
“This is a personal passion project of mine,” he said, adding business and tourism leaders have been advocating for the refurbishment.
The terminal is in a prime location and is a vital link for travel to the U.S., he said.
“You don’t get too many ferry terminals that will be made beautiful in a location literally steps from dozens of hotels,” Fleming said. “The visitor experience in the new Belleville international ferry terminal is going to be five-star.” He said about 700,000 people come through the terminal every year.
Executive project director Lesley Ballman said there are no final plans yet for the Black Ball building.
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