The B.C. government has launched the earliest stages of the Belleville terminal redevelopment project along Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
On Thursday, the province said it had opened its request for qualifications (RFQ) for the design and construction of the new terminal, which connects the U.S. with B.C.’s capital.
After the RFQ period is complete, the province will narrow down a shortlist of qualified teams that will then be invited to submit a request for proposal for construction.
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- Federal government commits $41.6M for Belleville terminal, construction to start later this year
- ‘Hopelessly outdated’: B.C. moving ahead with Belleville Terminal redevelopment project
The province has long been looking to update the Belleville terminal, which welcomes ferries like the Coho and Clipper.
The upgraded terminal will also bring the port into compliance with the Canada-U.S. Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance Agreement, which allows passengers to complete U.S. customs in Victoria before departing to the states.
The entire project has an approved budget of $303.9 million, with the federal government agreeing to cover $41.6 million of construction costs.
The province says it’s still working with the Black Ball Ferry Line – which operates the Coho – and the Clipper to “determine their respective involvement in the project.”
The B.C. government estimates the new terminal will be open in time for the 2028 tourism season.
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Each year, hundreds of thousands of people travel between Victoria and the U.S. through the Belleville terminal, with visitors spending $174 million annually, “generating $268 million in economic output and $155 million in provincial gross domestic product,” according to the province.
“Belleville Terminal is a critical transportation hub and gateway,” said Robert Lewis-Manning, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
“The terminal contributes to a thriving ocean hub, providing services to both visitors and freight from Port Angeles,” he said. “These visitors bring millions of dollars of new revenue to our region every year, directly supporting jobs, small businesses and significant tax contributions.”
The province says it’s also working with the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation, whose land the terminal sits on.
Adam Chan
