News Release

BELLEISLE BAY (GNB) – The new river ferry to Belleisle Bay has been named the Belleisle Belle, as suggested by Doug Myers of Quispamsis.

The winning name was selected by members of area local service districts from a list of submissions by local residents in a ferry-naming contest.

“The contest to name the new ferry generated a lot of interest in the community,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser. “I am glad that the community was engaged in the naming process, and I thank the area communities for their help in selecting the winning entry.”

The provincial government announced earlier this month that Belleisle Bay will be the location of its new 15-car river ferry, which is currently under construction at the naval centre in Bas-Caraquet. The new ferry will replace the F85, which is being transferred to the Kennebecasis Island run. In 2015, the Kennebecasis Island ferry was removed from service and, since then, service has been provided by a rental vessel at a cost of $750,000. The new ferry in Belleisle Bay will eliminate those rental costs.

“Your government recognizes that our river ferries are a key component of our transportation network,” said Fraser. “The addition of this new ferry demonstrates our commitment to the river ferry system in the lower St. John River Valley.”

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s $688.2 million capital budget reflects the government’s priority of investing strategically in its buildings, highways and bridges. Strategic investments in infrastructure are a key component of the multi-year New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan, the province’s framework for growing the economy and creating jobs.