Officials announced that plans are in the works to add a new commuter ferry between Bedford and Halifax to the city’s transit fleet.
The new Bedford Ferry Route will run between a new terminal at Mill Cove and the existing terminal on the Halifax waterfront.
All three levels of government are funding a $3.3 million study to look at concept design for a new terminal building, site access and site design.
“Getting moving on this long-anticipated ferry project will open up Halifax Harbour in new ways to more people creating exciting opportunities for communities to connect while helping residents green their commute,” said Halifax Mayor Mike Savage.
The Bedford Ferry route is a key component of the Transforming Transit strategy put forward by the city to transform the way residents from rapidly growing communities travel to and from downtown Halifax. The planning phase will include a study of the different technology options for the new electrical ferry as well as the design of the Halifax and Bedford Ferry Terminals to welcome the new route.
“As the municipality continues to grow, so does the need for a faster and better-connected transit network,” added Dave Reage, executive director of Halifax Transit. “Connecting Bedford to downtown Halifax by this new ferry route is an integral step that will improve transit services in an environmentally-friendly way.”
The Governments of Canada is investing more than $1.3 million through the Public Transit Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure program. The Government of Nova Scotia is providing over $1.1 million to wards this project, while the Halifax Regional Municipality is contributing more than $917,000.
“The Bedford Ferry Route will connect communities across Halifax in ways we’ve been dreaming about for years,” stated Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and MP for Halifax. “This planning project will set the foundation that will provide residents with a quick, safe, and affordable transit option across the Bedford Basin straight into the Halifax core.”
Featured image: Proposed BRT lines and ferry routes. (Halifax Transit)
