Halifax lands funding for new zero emission transit ferry route
The Halifax Regional Municipality is getting a new ferry route that will run from Bedford, N.S. to downtown Halifax and will be the first zero-emission ferry in Nova Scotia.
The provincial and federal governments announced Thursday its contributing $3.3 million towards a study that will explore technology options for an electric ferry.
The Nova Scotia government is investing more than $1.1 million for the initial planning phase of the ferry, while federal contributions are $1.3 million. Halifax Regional Municipality is investing $917,000.
The Mill Cove ferry route will depart from a new net-zero energy efficient building in Bedford.
"Getting moving on this long-anticipated ferry project will open up Halifax Harbour in new ways to more people, creating exciting opportunities for communities to connect while helping residents green their commute," Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in a news release.
Kelsey Lane from the Ecology Action Centre said a potential energy efficient ferry would help create a more green community.
“If it's electric, it provides more affordable options,” said Lane. “And it's a wonderful way to get to where you want to go. It’s exactly the kind of project we are looking for.”
Once operational, the new ferry will mark the third route operated by Halifax Transit. It also has routes that run from downtown Halifax to Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, as well as Halifax to Woodside.
Beverly Morrison who lives in the area, said a new ferry would be good news for seniors.
"They can't get to places and that would be awesome for them to get to Halifax instead of travelling by bus,” said Morrison
The first phase of the project will look at a concept design for the new Bedford terminal, along with the retrofit design of the current Halifax terminal. Both are expected to be completed in early 2022.
Detailed design and construction will begin following phase one.
"As the municipality continues to grow, so does the need for a faster and better-connected transit network. Connecting Bedford to downtown Halifax by this new ferry route is an integral step that will improve transit services in an environmentally friendly way." Dave Reage, executive director, Halifax Transit, said in a news release.
The zero-emission project is part of the province's climate change strategy.
"Transitioning away from diesel ferries is part of the electrification of public transit systems, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and will help us toward our target of cutting emissions to 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030," Kelly Regan, minister of community services, said in a release.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.