News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government will resume ferry service to Kennebecasis Island starting mid-May as regularly scheduled. A replacement ferry will be hired for the provision of this service for the majority of the season.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Roger Melanson made the announcement today while providing an overall status update on all of the province’s river ferries.

“River ferries are considered an extension of the transportation network along the St . John and Kennebecasis Rivers,” said Melanson. “Unfortunately, ongoing maintenance on our aging fleet has posed many problems in recent years. Our government wants to make life better for New Brunswickers, and a predictable, safe and reliable transportation network is a key component of that goal.”

The provincial government operates seven river ferry crossings in southern New Brunswick at an annual operating cost of about $6 million, not including the costs of capital maintenance or new ferries as required. These ferries are free of charge to the public.

The ferry fleet requires ongoing routine maintenance and inspections to ensure the safety of the public, which can cause service disruptions. Below is a summary of the status of the vessels for all seven crossings:

• The Belleisle Bay ferry operates between Earle Wharf and Long Point and carries an annual average of 178,500 vehicles. This vessel is currently in service, but is scheduled for further repairs in 2015 which may take it out of service for up to two weeks. The alternate route for this crossing is 24 kilometres.
• The Evandale ferry operates between Rte. 102 and Rte. 124 in Evandale and carries an annual average of 288,100 vehicles. This vessel is currently in service. The alternate route for this crossing is 108 kilometres.
• The Gagetown ferry operates between Gagetown on Rte. 102 and Lower Jemseg off Rte. 715 and carries an annual average of 86,300 vehicles. This vessel is out of service until further notice pending a complete inspection of its hull, which will require its removal from the water after the ice clears from the Saint John River. The alternate route for this crossing is 33 kilometres.
• Two ferries operate at the Gondola Point crossing between Gondola Point on Rte. 119 and Rte. 845 on the Kingston Peninsula. This crossing sees an annual average of 1,272,500 vehicles. Both vessels at this crossing are currently in service. The alternate route for this crossing is 45 kilometres.
• The Kennebecasis Island ferry operates between Kennebecasis Island and Summerville off Rte. 845 on the Kingston Peninsula from Victoria Day weekend to mid-November. This crossing sees an annual average of 28,700 vehicles. The vessel that typically operates at this crossing is currently out of service. The provincial government will hire a replacement ferry to ensure continued ferry service to Kennebecasis Island from mid-May to mid-November as usual. There are no alternate routes for this crossing.
• The Summerville-Millidgeville ferry operates between Sandy Point Road in the City of Saint John and Summerville off Rte. 845 on the Kingston Peninsula from about April to late December. This crossing sees an annual average of 176,300 vehicles. The vessel is currently in Nova Scotia for refit and is expected to return to service in mid-June. The alternate route for this crossing is 90 kilometres.
• Two ferries operate at the Westfield crossing between Grand Bay-Westfield on Rte. 177 and Hardings Point off Rte. 845. This crossing sees an annual average of 552,000 vehicles. One vessel is currently in operation at this crossing, with the second, smaller vessel typically only in service from Victoria Day to Remembrance Day. Service with the second vessel will not commence until late June this year. The alternate route for this crossing is 84 kilometres, via the Gondola Point ferry.

“The government is currently in the midst of evaluating its expenditures, revenues and service offerings as part of the Strategic Program Review,” said Melanson. “And while we understand that there are some frustrations with the service levels at some ferry crossings, as a government, we need to take the time to make the right decisions within our fiscal reality for the long-term benefit of all New Brunswickers.”