Heriot Bay - Whaletown Terminal Upgrades

Over the past month, the project team has been focused on refining the project and alternate service plans, and incorporating key feedback gathered from the community. This feedback has helped shape important adjustments aimed at addressing the community's priorities and concerns. As we move forward, we are committed to ensuring that the revised plans better serve the needs of our customers.

What we heard, and how we are responding:

Shift in Closure Period: We heard from the community the concern over the proposed timing of the closure, including the unreliable weather and increased possibilities for water taxi cancellations. In response to the feedback received, we have adjusted the closure period from originally starting in January to now beginning in February. Based on historical patterns, it is expected that the weather will be better in the later winter months, resulting in fewer expected sailing cancellations and improved service reliability. In addition, during this planned time period, passenger volumes continue to be lower.

Previous planned closure: January – March

Adjusted planned closure: February - April

Improved Access to Medical Services: During the engagement customers shared their feedback about access to required medical services. To ensure this concern is addressed we are taking the following actions:

• Connecting with Island Health to ensure they have what they need to plan for service.
• Developing a procedure to address customer needs to move their car for unexpected essential needs.
• Develop contingencies for those not able to travel by water taxi for essential purposes

Connections for Essential Services: This has been a key concern, and we’ve prioritized logistics to reduce potential disruptions including working with commercial customers on schedules and timing to ensure food deliveries and other essential goods continue to be available to those on Cortes Island.

Improved Travel Supports: Recognizing the need for better transportation options to and from Mansons Landing, as well as once arriving in Campbell River, we’ve expanded the plan to provide more travel options. This adjustment will help facilitate the movement of people and goods between these locations more efficiently.

Part of this plan includes collaborating with local partners who know and understand the needs of their community and providing funding opportunities to local groups or businesses that can provide on island transportation or in Campbell River throughout the project.

For the second phase of the project, which is expected to take place between March – April, we will re-open the berth at Whaletown, and offer direct service between Cortes Island and Campbell River. We heard clearly from the community this was the preferred option.

Next Steps and timeline for decisions

September – November:

As part of the next steps in this process, we have submitted a report to the BC Ferry Commissioner who will review the plans and provide a decision authorizing the project to move forward with the alternate service plan.

During this time, we will be continuing our conversations with the community, including conversations with the neighbours at Heriot Bay Terminal, health services, and commercial users.

November - December:

Later this fall we will be coming back out to community to provide an update on the project and the alternate service plans.

We are grateful for the input provided and as we progress we will be providing project updates on this page. You can subscribe to receive these updates via email by clicking 'Subscribe' on the right hand side of the page.

We are excited to be moving closer to welcoming an Island Class Vessel in 2027 and providing increased capacity for Cortes Islanders and those travelling the route.

In preparation for introducing the larger vessel to the route and to replace aging infrastructure, berth replacements are required for Whaletown and Heriot Bay. This will mean full berth closures and alternate service for the route from January to mid-March, 2026. With work planned to begin in the fall of 2025, engagements with the community have begun early to help shape plans for the alternate service that will be required during the berth closure.

An in-person Open House was held on Cortes Island on April 27, 2024, alongside a three-week online engagement opportunity. Members of the public were invited to attend and provide their input on alternate service plans and ideas to help mitigate impacts on ferry users. The 'what we heard' report from this early engagement period is now available. Click here to read the report.

The berths at Whaletown and Heriot Bay are being replaced. Help us shape alternative service plans by attending in-person, or taking part online.

Join us in-person on Saturday, April 27 on Cortes Island for an opportunity to learn more about our initial plans for alternate service. You will be able to walk around the room to learn about each leg of your journey, and speak with our teams who will be on hand to listen to your feedback and answer questions.

Participate online Visit our discussion forums between April 19 – May 6.

What's Happening at Whaletown and Heriot Bay?

We are excited to be moving closer to welcoming an Island Class Vessel in 2027 and providing increased capacity for Cortes Islanders and those travelling the route.

In preparation for introducing the larger vessel to the route and to replace aging infrastructure, berth replacements are required for Whaletown and Heriot Bay. Work is planned to begin the fall of 2025 and is expected to be completed spring 2026, with full berth closures and alternate service for the route planned from January to mid-March, 2026.

At Heriot Bay, the work is expected to include:

• New two-lane trestle and ramp with customer waiting shelter and separated foot passenger walkway
• New marine structures for vessel berthing and mooring

At Whaletown, the work is expected to include:

• New two-lane ramp with separated foot passenger walkway
• New marine structures for vessel berthing and mooring

We are in the early stages of planning for alternate service and want to hear from the community to help us shape our plans.

We understand the vital role we play in providing an essential service to those that live and travel to Cortes Island, and are committed to keeping the community informed. As we progress we will be providing project updates on this page.

To stay up to date, you can subscribe to receive proactive updates via email by clicking 'Subscribe' on the right hand side of this page.

We look forward to hearing from you, and working together as we look ahead at exciting improvements coming for the community.

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the safe operation of our terminal facilities, BC Ferries will be carrying out necessary marine geotechnical investigations at the Heriot Bay and Whaletown ferry terminals on the following dates:

• Heriot Bay terminal - November 7, 2023
• Whaletown terminal – November 9, 2023

This work is part of the planning phase for the Heriot Bay and Whaletown berth replacement projects, planned to begin in the fall of 2025.

To mitigate traffic disruptions for our customers, work will take place around the ferry schedule, and we do not anticipate any impact to ferry service. Work will include general construction activities and major noise disruptions are not expected from this work. All efforts will be made to minimize construction sound levels for our neighbours.

Due to the nature of the work, in the case of poor weather, dates for the geotechnical investigations may change. We will update the community if a change in date is required.

We would like to thank our neighbours for their patience and understanding as we complete this necessary work.

For more information or traffic updates, follow our @BCFerries X Account or visit bcferries.com.

The marine infrastructure at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals are nearing the end of their service lives and require replacement. As populations on both islands grow, we are committed to the safety and accessibility of the islands for residents and visitors alike.

In alignment with Performance Term 6, and what we've heard from the community, terminal upgrades are designed to address capacity limits faced on Route 24 (Heriot Bay - Whaletown). The terminal upgrades will address concerns by replacing marine terminal infrastructure to accommodate the new, higher capacity Island class vessels, as well as reducing roadway congestion and creating safer, easier access to the terminals for vehicles and walk-on passengers. The current berths do not fit the Island Class vessels.

More information on the terminal upgrade will be provided on this page. To stay informed, please subscribe by clicking the "subscribe" button on the right-hand side of the page.