August Project Update

Hello Quadra and Cortes Island community members,

It’s been a busy time on both islands as terminal work progresses and summer visitors arrive! I’d like to thank everyone for their ongoing patience and support while we work to rebuild the terminals. It’s been a productive month for the construction crews at both terminals and I’m pleased to share an update.

At Heriot Bay, you may have noticed that the existing trestle was quickly removed following the commissioning of the temporary operations trestle last month. In addition, we’ve built a temporary bridge structure to support the crane during construction of the new trestle.

Earlier this month, the crane - working from this new structure - installed the first permanent pilings. As we move through August and September, you’ll begin to see the new trestle take shape with the installation of steel piles and concrete beams. In late August, additional marine construction equipment will be mobilized to Heriot Bay to further support the construction of the new berth.

As I mentioned in last month’s update, work continues at Whaletown through August. Some unforeseen ground conditions have challenged the construction crews on site, but the pile installation work is progressing and is expected to wrap up around the end of the month. Once complete, the crews will join their colleagues at Heriot Bay.

Significant progress has also been made installing new rip-rap and armour rock (material used to protect shoreline structures) at Whaletown. The contractor has been busy unloading marine barges and carefully placing rocks to stabilize the shoreline banks on both sides of the terminal.

Behind the scenes, we’ve also been planning the alternate service period that will take place during berth closures scheduled for next winter (February 2026). We are looking forward to visiting your communities again later this fall to share additional details of what the alternate service will entail and what your journey to and from Campbell River may look like when the berths are closed.

You’ll continue to hear from us through service notices, mail-outs, social media, sign boards, and this regular column, and when we visit your communities in the fall. You can also visit our project webpage at: bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp for information and subscribe to receive project updates by email.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Community Relations team at engagement@bcferries.com.

Thanks for reading,

Jeffrey Li

Project Manager, BC Ferries