YARMOUTH, N.S. — After a summer of site investigations and design consultations, the first tender package for demolition work and upgrades at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal is being designed.
CBCL Limited, the design engineering firm selected last spring to manage the project, is developing the tender package, the town said in a Sept. 30 media release.
This first tender package includes a combination of demolition and construction projects. Immediate focus will be placed upon the demolition of various structures that need replacement or will not be required in the new configuration at the terminal property. Attention will also be given to the terminal building roofing and exterior, and fencing surrounding the yard will also be addressed.
Based on high level estimates from CBCL, the current funding of $9 million being shared in thirds by the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government will not complete all of the required work originally outlined for Phase I. The infrastructure funding was announced last fall. The Phase 1 project scope had been announced in the spring and had included such things as: pontoon replacement/refurbishing; Linkspan bridge replacement/refurbishing; yard work to reconfigure the traffic flow; lighting upgrades to meet changes in service hours and security requirements; work to the primary inspection line booths for security processing; work to Bay Ferries Limited’s booths for service provider and ticket processing; demolition of aged and unnecessary infrastructure that will be replaced and building upgrades to ensure operational demands.
"With the estimates coming back from CBCL putting figures closer to $20 million, adjustments will be made in scope for each part of the project and priorities determined in the way of what gets done in Phase I and what comes later in additional phases," the town's media release says.
The previously announced funding breakdown for Phase 1 was:
The federal and provincial governments are each contributing $3 million towards the project. The town of Yarmouth is contributing $1.5 million towards the work. The Municipality of Yarmouth is contributing $1.2 million and the Municipality of Argyle is adding $300,000.
Over the summer months, all focus was placed upon preparatory work on yard design and configuration, as well as determining the full scope of work required. CBCL has completed the key site investigations, including below water diver inspections, on the condition of the marine works and pontoon. An architect has also reviewed the condition of the terminal building, and is preparing a priorities report, recommendations, and budgets for review.
It had always been the intention not to start the work until the fall, so as not to interfere with the ferry sailing season. However, there was no ferry sailing season in 2019 due to the terminal facility in Bar Harbor not being ready for use.
On the Yarmouth project, CBCL consultants have also worked closely with the Canada Border Services Agency and Bay Ferries Ltd in recent weeks to ensure their key needs are met as primary occupants of the facility. The concept plan for reconfiguring the yard, including building and placement of primary inspection line and Bay Ferries booths, are under review and will proceed to drawings this fall.
This project is the first phase of renewal of the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal, addressing immediate priorities. Subsequent phases will be required to complete the renewal.
PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT THIS INFRASTRUCTURE WORK:
MAY 2019: Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal project kicks off
