Starting Wednesday, Sept. 27, work will start at the Nanaimo terminal of the Gabriola Island ferry across from Port Place Shopping Centre to repair and replace the pontoon and timber trestles. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

NOISY UPGRADES

‘Life extension’ work underway at Nanaimo Harbour ferry terminal

Sep 27, 2023 | 4:10 PM

NANAIMO — Work has begun to repair and replace the pontoon and timber trestles at the downtown BC Ferries terminal.

Crews arrived on site Wednesday, Sept. 27 and will remain through early November, updating the marine infrastructure to ensure the safety of vessels docking, as well as ramp operations.

BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said the first phase of the “life extension” project will run until Oct. 10, with the schedule shifting to overnight hours, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., between Oct. 10 and Oct. 27.

“We have chosen that so that we are reducing the impact on our operation and we have got a variance for the noise bylaw. We do expect some noise at night and we certainly apologize to anybody around the Nanaimo Harbour area if they do hear any night noise.”

Any remaining tasks are scheduled through Nov. 6 when the upgrades are due to be complete.

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Crane operations and pile driving are among some of the noisy activities planned over the next six weeks.

Upgrades are similar to ones taking place at several minor terminals around the BC Ferries network, including some on the southern Gulf Islands.

Marshall said there’s no anticipated change to the schedule or delay in operations as a result of the work.

“We don’t expect any impact on our service, we’ll continue to have the two Island class vessels sailing on the route on their regular schedule.”

She noted crews have workarounds to ensure they can check things off the to-do list, even with vessels coming in and out of the terminal.

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