The Swartz Bay ferry terminal is getting upgrades worth about $20 million, with work underway to create a deeper berth for Salish-class ferries and to upgrade the Lands End terminal building.
Work started in June and is expected to continue to next spring.
Heavy equipment is making more room at Berth 5 for Salish-class vessels serving the Swartz Bay-Southern Gulf Islands route, since they sit deeper in the water than their predecessor, the retired Mayne Queen.
Underwater blasting is targeting a rock outcropping at the entrance to the berth.
B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Liza Yuzda said up to 2.5 metres of bedrock and up to a metre of soft sediment will be removed to increase the depth.
At low tide, the shallowest point of Berth 5 is currently about 3.5 metres below the water surface but that will increase to at least six metres once the work is complete, Yuzda said.
Soft sediment will be taken to a disposal facility, while the dredged rock will be used to create a new habitat reef at Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island, she said.
The Salish-class vessels now operate out of Berths 3 and 4, but once the work is finished, they’ll be able to use all berths at Swartz Bay, “increasing operational flexibility and capacity,” Yuzda said.
New dolphins, used for mooring, are being installed as well as a new tie structure for smaller Island-class ferries to use when needed.
The Lands End terminal will have its roof and its heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system upgraded.
Its exterior will receive new paint, new café signage and siding restoration.
B.C. Ferries said it doesn’t expect the work to affect sailing schedules, and ticket booths and parking areas for both foot and vehicle passengers will be fully operational.
For more information on the project, go to bcferriesprojects.ca/swb-terminal-projects.
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