Federal government and Marine Atlantic mark milestone in building the new North Sydney Terminal

Minister Raitt tours the site to view improvements made as part of revitalizing Marine Atlantic ferry services and shore facilities  

NORTH SYDNEY, NS, Dec. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, joined Marine Atlantic's President and CEO Paul Griffin, and Cecil Clarke, Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, today to tour Marine Atlantic's new terminal building as it enters its final phase of construction in North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

The new terminal building is funded through this government's five-year investment in 2010 of $521 million for the revitalization of Marine Atlantic's fleet and shore facilities. It is scheduled to be operational by spring 2015.

Quick Facts

• The new North Sydney Terminal, estimated to cost $20 million, including design, site preparation and construction, will be modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly. It will offer amenities such as a commercial driver seating lounge area and provide closer access to downtown North Sydney businesses.  

• Other improvements at North Sydney include a recently completed new building for stevedores (dock workers), renovations to the docks, an upgraded and expanded marshalling yard, and new Marine Atlantic administration and warehouse facilities.

Quotes

"I am pleased to see, first-hand, all the work that has been undertaken since my last visit in January 2014. This important project for Marine Atlantic will improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of its ferry services, and bring important economic benefits to the region.

"This government continues to invest in Marine Atlantic's fleet and shore facilities, such as the new North Sydney Terminal, because we recognize the importance of connecting the communities, businesses and economies of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador."

The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport

"We are very excited with the progress being made at our new terminal building. The Government of Canada's significant investment has allowed us to make these enhancements into our vessel fleet, shore-based infrastructure and business processes, strengthening the service experienced by our customers. The opening of our new terminal building this spring will be another step towards our goal of becoming a modern and efficient corporation with a strong focus on customer service."

Paul Griffin
Marine Atlantic's President and CEO

Related Products

• Government of Canada invests over half a billion dollars in the revitalization of Marine Atlantic Inc. July 5, 2010 (Transport Canada)
• Contracts Awarded for the Construction of a New Terminal Building in North Sydney August 20, 2013 (Marine Atlantic)

Associated Link

• Marine Atlantic

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Ashley Kelahear, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055; Darrell Mercer, Corporate Communications, Marine Atlantic Inc., 709-772-0073 or 709-727-2405, E-Mail: [email protected]