Community Articles
General News · 26th April 2024
Ester
Mark your calendar Saturday, April 27, 12:30 - 2:30, Mansons Halland participate. Plans include berth closures at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals. Water taxi service for foot passengers only. Barge service for commercial providers
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Help BC Ferries shape alternate service plans for 2026
Project Updates: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp?tool=news_feed#tool_tab
Forum: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp?tool=forum_topic#tool_tab
RSVP: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp?tool=survey_tool#tool_tab
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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 - Mansons Hall 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. To RSVP please click here.
Participate online
Visit our discussion forums between April 19 – May 6 by clicking here.
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 - visit https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp?tool=forum_topic#tool_tab and click '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.
Project Timeline
Planning 2023 - March 2024: Includes assessment of the berth, required work, conditions for berth closures, and internal approvals
Community Engagement April 2024: Community engagement through an in-person open house, stakeholder workshops, and online engagement
Community Update August 2024: Report back to community on what we have heard, how we're responding, and next steps for project timelines
Construction Begins September 2025: Work begins. Regular service during this time
Initial Berth Closures Begin January - mid February 2026: Berth closures begin at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals. Water taxi service for foot passengers only. Barge service for commercial providers
Whaletown Re-opens February - mid March 2026: Whaletown terminal re-opens with modified services and direct sailings between Cortes Island and Campbell River. Heriot Bay berth work will continue during this phase
Berth Work Complete Spring 2026: Regular service reinstated for Route 24 at both terminals
We look forward to hearing from you, and working together as we look ahead at exciting improvements coming for the community.
-
Help BC Ferries shape alternate service plans for 2026
Project Updates: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp?tool=news_feed#tool_tab
Forum: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp?tool=forum_topic#tool_tab
RSVP: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp?tool=survey_tool#tool_tab
-
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 - Mansons Hall 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. To RSVP please click here.
Participate online
Visit our discussion forums between April 19 – May 6 by clicking here.
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 - visit https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/heriot-bay-whaletown-tp?tool=forum_topic#tool_tab and click '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.
Project Timeline
Planning 2023 - March 2024: Includes assessment of the berth, required work, conditions for berth closures, and internal approvals
Community Engagement April 2024: Community engagement through an in-person open house, stakeholder workshops, and online engagement
Community Update August 2024: Report back to community on what we have heard, how we're responding, and next steps for project timelines
Construction Begins September 2025: Work begins. Regular service during this time
Initial Berth Closures Begin January - mid February 2026: Berth closures begin at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals. Water taxi service for foot passengers only. Barge service for commercial providers
Whaletown Re-opens February - mid March 2026: Whaletown terminal re-opens with modified services and direct sailings between Cortes Island and Campbell River. Heriot Bay berth work will continue during this phase
Berth Work Complete Spring 2026: Regular service reinstated for Route 24 at both terminals
We look forward to hearing from you, and working together as we look ahead at exciting improvements coming for the community.