January project update & alternate service reminder

Hello Quadra and Cortes Island community members,

I’m happy to share the following updates for the terminal rebuild projects underway at Heriot Bay and Whaletown, and a reminder about the alternate service BC Ferries will be providing.

Construction

Significant progress was made on marine pile installation at Whaletown in December. This momentum carried into January, with further pile installation and the demolition of the existing berth on schedule for completion before the scheduled berth closure period of February 9th to March 1st, 2026.

At Heriot Bay, work is progressing on the electrical and hydraulic systems, as well as the new waiting room. Finishing touches are also being completed on the concrete barriers, railings, and other areas around the new berth.

Alternate service

A reminder that BC Ferries will provide the following alternate service between Cortes and Quadra during the Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminal closures. Schedules for services have been published and links are shared below. Brochures are available at both terminals, ticket booths and waiting rooms, on vessels, and in community at several businesses.

Foot-passenger water taxi service (complimentary)

  • Seven days a week, six round trips per day starting from Mansons Landing
  • 40-person capacity, first-come, first served
  • Between Mansons Landing and Heriot Bay Government Dock
  • The water-taxi schedule can be found here.


Shuttle bus service (complimentary)

  • Heriot Bay Government Dock to Quathiaski Cove (with a stop near the Heriot Bay Ferry Terminal)
  • Timed as closely as possible to water taxi arrivals/departures, first-come, first-serve.


Barge service (essential goods and services only)

  • Service between Heriot Bay Government Dock (Quadra) and Gorge Harbour (Cortes)
  • Monday to Saturday, three round trips daily (starting from Heriot Bay)
  • Dangerous goods sailings on Tuesdays (10:15 departing Heriot Bay / 14:30 departing Gorge Harbour
  • The barge reservation request system is now live - the online booking form and barge schedule can be found here.


Passenger vehicles may be accepted in special cases, depending on space and approval. A barge reservation request must be submitted in advance.

Next steps and communication

You’ll continue to hear from us through service notices, mail-outs, social media, sign boards, and this monthly update where you can learn more about these services and how we will continue to keep Cortes connected during berth closures.

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

Thanks for reading,


Jeffrey Li
Project Manager
BC Ferries

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