The province is unveiling a new commuter ferry route for Bedford and Halifax through a $3.3 million joint investment with the municipal and federal governments.
Nova Scotia will invest over $1.1 million in the initial planning phase. The study will be carried out in collaboration with the federal government and the Halifax Regional Municipality. The Government of Canada is contributing more than $1.3 million, while the municipality is investing over $917,000.
The study will include the concept design for the new terminal building, site access, as well as site design. It will also explore technology options for an electric ferry.
“This is an exciting project that will deliver a more convenient transit link for commuters and help Nova Scotia address climate change,” said Community Services Minister Kelly Regan in a news release. “Transitioning away from diesel ferries is part of the electrification of public transit systems, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and will help us toward our target of cutting emissions to 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.”
The ferry is set to travel from a new terminal in Bedford to Halifax’s downtown ferry terminal.
Meantime, Halifax MP Andy Fillmore said this is a milestone for transit in HRM as he unveiled the proposed route.
A big day for transit in HRM:
We’re investing in a new ferry route from #Bedford to downtown #Halifax — connecting communities across our municipality in ways we’ve been dreaming about for years. https://t.co/IA4awvogMp pic.twitter.com/5BppMKRSVq
— Andy Fillmore, MP (@AndyFillmoreHFX) June 17, 2021
The ferry will be added as a new transit route as part of routes offered by Halifax Transit. The Bedford terminal is set to be a net-zero, energy efficient building.
Phase 1 reports and a concept design of the new Bedford terminal, along with the retrofit design of the current Halifax terminal, are expected in early 2022.
