Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects
The Crofton and Vesuvius terminals form an important link between Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Island communities for residents and visitors alike. They support essential travel for residents, visitors, goods, and services, and is a key part of the region’s transportation network. The Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects are currently underway. This important project is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, reliable terminal infrastructure and supporting future service improvements on the Crofton-Vesuvius route.
The project includes building a new layby berth for anticipated new two-ship service, along with repairs and upgrades to the existing berth and trestle structures to improve safety and reliability. The new two‑ship service anticipated to begin in 2027 will increase capacity by 20% and is expected to ease traffic congestion at the Crofton terminal by increasing sailing frequency, helping vehicle queues move more smoothly, and reducing backups onto nearby roads.
For information on the terminal upgrade, engagement opportunities and current status of the project, please stay tuned to this page.
The Crofton and Vesuvius terminals form an important link between Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Island communities for residents and visitors alike. They support essential travel for residents, visitors, goods, and services, and is a key part of the region’s transportation network. The Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects are currently underway. This important project is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, reliable terminal infrastructure and supporting future service improvements on the Crofton-Vesuvius route.
The project includes building a new layby berth for anticipated new two-ship service, along with repairs and upgrades to the existing berth and trestle structures to improve safety and reliability. The new two‑ship service anticipated to begin in 2027 will increase capacity by 20% and is expected to ease traffic congestion at the Crofton terminal by increasing sailing frequency, helping vehicle queues move more smoothly, and reducing backups onto nearby roads.
For information on the terminal upgrade, engagement opportunities and current status of the project, please stay tuned to this page.
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Capital Planning Update March 2024
Share Capital Planning Update March 2024 on Facebook Share Capital Planning Update March 2024 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Capital Planning Update March 2024 on Linkedin Email Capital Planning Update March 2024 linkAs an essential public service, it is our job to keep people moving safely and reliably. We review our capital plan regularly to ensure it’s helping us achieve those goals. Inevitably, that means some tough decisions as we must work within our budget.
During this year’s annual review, we prioritized two main aspects of our capital investment plan:
- The work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure
- The delivery of vessels to replace our aging fleet and meet the growing capacity demands of the communities we serve, and the replacement of berths required to support new vessel introductions.
As a result, we have had to defer or adjust the scope of some of our previously planned projects to work within available funds. For more on project impacts for Salt Spring Island, please read on.
Although some adjustments have been made, our plans continue to include $356 million in capital investments this year, and approximately $2.2 billion over the next four years (Performance Term Six). We also plan to pursue additional funding opportunities that would allow us to re-evaluate capital expenditures before the end of the next performance term (March 31, 2028). We will keep you updated as we continue to re-evaluate.
What does this mean for Crofton and Vesuvius Terminals?
As we note above, we have prioritized the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure for our passengers who rely on it.
Crofton and Vesuvius terminal projects will focus on the berth replacements in their original location to ensure the continued reliability of our infrastructure and to prepare the terminals for the introduction of two new Island Class vessels in 2027.
Understanding the effects of peak season traffic on our neighbours, we will continue to utilize all traffic control measures to minimize impacts. The increase in capacity and frequency offered by the Island Class vessels will also mean being able to move vehicles through the terminal and off the roadways more efficiently. In addition, we continue to look for all opportunities to effectively manage vehicle capacity at the terminals. This includes increasing vehicle space at Vesuvius terminal with the berth replacement project, by providing widened lanes on the trestle, to help move more vehicles off the roadway.
We will also continue to stay connected with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Municipality of North Cowichan, and BC Transit to work on operational improvements for vehicle staging, traffic control and intermodal connections.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to balance the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure.
As an essential public service, it is our job to keep people moving safely and reliably. We review our capital plan regularly to ensure it’s helping us achieve those goals. Inevitably, that means some tough decisions as we must work within our budget.
During this year’s annual review, we prioritized two main aspects of our capital investment plan:
- The work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure
- The delivery of vessels to replace our aging fleet and meet the growing capacity demands of the communities we serve, and the replacement of berths required to support new vessel introductions.
As a result, we have had to defer or adjust the scope of some of our previously planned projects to work within available funds. For more on project impacts for Salt Spring Island, please read on.
Although some adjustments have been made, our plans continue to include $356 million in capital investments this year, and approximately $2.2 billion over the next four years (Performance Term Six). We also plan to pursue additional funding opportunities that would allow us to re-evaluate capital expenditures before the end of the next performance term (March 31, 2028). We will keep you updated as we continue to re-evaluate.
What does this mean for Crofton and Vesuvius Terminals?
As we note above, we have prioritized the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure for our passengers who rely on it.
Crofton and Vesuvius terminal projects will focus on the berth replacements in their original location to ensure the continued reliability of our infrastructure and to prepare the terminals for the introduction of two new Island Class vessels in 2027.
Understanding the effects of peak season traffic on our neighbours, we will continue to utilize all traffic control measures to minimize impacts. The increase in capacity and frequency offered by the Island Class vessels will also mean being able to move vehicles through the terminal and off the roadways more efficiently. In addition, we continue to look for all opportunities to effectively manage vehicle capacity at the terminals. This includes increasing vehicle space at Vesuvius terminal with the berth replacement project, by providing widened lanes on the trestle, to help move more vehicles off the roadway.
We will also continue to stay connected with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Municipality of North Cowichan, and BC Transit to work on operational improvements for vehicle staging, traffic control and intermodal connections.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to balance the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure.
Follow Project
Meet the project team
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BC Ferries, Community Relations
Email engagement@bcferries.com
Project Timeline
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Design and Planning
Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects has finished this stageSpring/Summer 2025
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Permitting and Engagement
Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects has finished this stageWith Interest Holders
Fall 2025-Spring 2026
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Community Engagement and Feedback
Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects has finished this stageCommunity engagement in-person and online
Winter 2025
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Procurement
Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects has finished this stageWinter 2025-Spring 2026
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Utility Upgrades
Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects is currently at this stageSpring 2026-Summer 2026
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Lay-By Berth Construction
this is an upcoming stage for Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects(Crofton Only)
Spring 2026-Summer 2026
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Trestle And Berth Repairs
this is an upcoming stage for Crofton and Vesuvius Terminal Projects(Crofton And Vesuvius)
Fall 2026 -> Summer 2027
FAQs
- What’s the latest on this project?
- How will this project impact traffic and roadways around the terminals?
- Why are both Island Class vessels being homeported in Crofton?
- How will BC Ferries support employees with the homeporting change?
- Will homeporting both vessels in Crofton impact emergency services?
- Why not have one vessel homeported on each side, like the Nanaimo-Gabriola route?
- Will the project impact ferry schedules?
- What is the capacity of the vessels coming to the route?
- Which Island Class vessels will be moved to the route?
Project Information
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2024 Crofton Terminal Information Boards (13.6 MB) (pdf)
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2024 BCF Public Event Code of Conduct (514 KB) (pdf)
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2023 Crofton Terminal Project
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June 30, 2023 - Project Introduction - Crofton Ferry Terminal Trestle.pdf (81.7 KB) (pdf)
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Letter to Municipality of North Cowichan - Noise Bylaw Exemption Request (517 KB) (pdf)
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Chemainus Valley Courier - Expect late night construction
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August 18, 2023 - Timber Trestle Repair Work.pdf (92.7 KB) (pdf)
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November 10, 2023 - Project Update - Next Phases of Trestle Repair Work.pdf (92.1 KB) (pdf)
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