Upgrades include better accessibility, more mooring space and improved lighting

FOLLOWING two years of planning and engagement with the community, the City of Vancouver on Monday began in-water construction on a new and improved ferry dock at Sunset Beach below the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

The new structure will replace the current Aquatic Centre ferry dock, which has reached the end of its service life. The dock will have a number of new features for both residents and ferry operations:

· Design for accessible grades to allow use by everyone, including people using mobility aids and wheelchairs

· Upgraded lighting along the gangways, platforms and ferry float, designed to minimize glare on adjacent areas and marine life

· A new shelter for ferry passengers and dock users

· Larger overall area for increased capacity for ferries and small boats, including dingy moorage space which will be available for up to three hours at a time

·  Steel piles, platforms and gangways for added overall resilience

There will be no dock access until construction wraps up in January 2020. A portion of Sunset Beach Park will also be closed during construction as a safety measure. 

False Creek Ferries service to the Aquatic Centre location will be diverted to the ferry dock at the foot of Hornby Street (400 metres south of the Aquatic Centre) while construction is underway. Ferry routes serviced by Aquabus will not be impacted as a result of construction.

At select times during the construction period, daytime foot traffic along the seawall will be diverted onto the bike path.  

The City thanks residents, businesses and travellers for their patience while construction is underway. For more information, visit: 

vancouver.ca/ferrydockupgrade.