BC Ferries Seeks Community Engagement

Horseshoe Bay terminal upgrade underway

Aerial photo of Horseshoe Bay terminal courtesy of BC Ferries.

The Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, in operation since 1965, serves almost seven million passengers and more than three million vehicles every year, as travellers make their way to and from Nanaimo, the Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island.

Beginning earlier this summer, a number of elements of the latest multi-year, capital construction project have been getting underway, according to a news release from BC Ferries.

As a result, anyone travelling with a vehicle from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo's Departure Bay terminal will require a reservation after October 15. This includes motorcycles, commercial vehicles and tour operators. A reservation is not required for the return journey from Departure Bay, but is always recommended to guarantee your spot, according to BC Ferries.

Remediation of the rock wall above the car staging area was completed in August. This involved clearing vegetation from the rock face and the installation of rock bolts and protective mesh, plus the creation of protected catchment areas along the wall.

Upgrades on the transfer decks have been underway since June, a process that has been taking place at night so as not to limit ferry usage.

A geotechnical investigation of the site under both land and water will be ongoing until October. This will require one berth to be closed, but the corporation says that the closed berth will not affect scheduled sailings.

A part of this process requires drilling, which will take place both during the day and night. BC Ferries says they are working to mitigate the noise from the drilling for nearby residents.

The existing control tower and pedestrian bridges are being decommissioned and replaced, a process that began earlier this month and will continue through November. As work occurs both day and night, hoarding has been erected to separate the construction zone from the ferry loading sites.

An Open House event will be held on Wednesday October 1 from 4 – 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Gleneagles Clubhouse at 6190 Marine Drive in West Vancouver. 

You can contact BC Ferries with questions or comments by email at hsbproject@bcferries.com. The corporation is also accepting feedback and concerns via their Community Relations Engagement team, which can be reached at engagement@bcferries.com.

Have thoughts to share about BC Ferries? Leave a comment below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca

Like what you're reading? For as little as $5/month, you can support local independent journalism by subscribing to The Watershed HERE.