Victoria News
VICTORIA — The Belleville Street terminal where the MV Coho ties up is going to look a lot different over the next few years after the province and two ferry companies announced a $17.4 million [$12.96 million U.S.] upgrade to the terminal.
The project is a collaboration among the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Black Ball Ferry Line — owner of the Coho — and Clipper Navigation Ltd., which operates passenger ferries from Seattle.
“It’s critical this important piece of transportation infrastructure is upgraded, starting with the safety improvements to the Black Ball wharves,” said Todd Stone, minister of transportation and infrastructure.
“It is a critical component of our Pacific gateway and a key entry point not just into Victoria, but British Columbia and, indeed, Canada.”
The improvements will occur in three phases: The first are much-needed repairs to the Black Ball and Clipper wharves by replacing the current deteriorating wood piles with steel piles.
“Everybody knew they were on their last legs and knew they had to be renewed,” said Ryan Burles, president and chief operating officer of Black Ball Ferry Line.
Construction on the Black Ball wharf is scheduled to begin in October and is expected to be completed in two years, while repairs to the Clipper wharf to the west will take place in the winter for roughly a year.
The next phase is to improve access to the site, and the final phase includes the development of a terminal facility.
There is currently no definitive time line for the last two phases.
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The Victoria News is a sister newspaper to the Peninsula Daily News.
