The Province will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to start the process to replace the aging ferries that have plied Upper Arrow Lake in the Kootenay region for more than 40 years.

Inland ferry services are an integral part of the transportation network, moving residents, visitors and goods within British Columbia.

Ferry service will not be interrupted at any time during the ferry replacement process, which will take approximately three years, including crew training.

The RFQ will be released in early July and is expected to be open for approximately six weeks. Up to three respondents to the RFQ will be shortlisted for the second stage - the request for proposal. It is expected the final decision will be made by the end of 2011 to have the new vessel ready in 2014.

Inland ferries are used on routes where lake or river crossings are a less-costly alternative to constructing roads or bridges. For example, the Upper Arrow Lake route between Galena and Shelter bays is a 20-minute crossing that reduces a car trip from Nelson to Revelstoke from eight hours to four hours.

The vessels are part of the inland ferry service operated by private contractors on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

In 2010, the existing ferries on Upper Arrow Lake carried 231,993 automobile equivalents and 325,572 passengers.

For more information:

• The detailed Request for Qualifications will be posted in early July at: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca
• For information on Inland Ferries visit: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/marine/Inland_Ferries_Maps.pdf

A photo of the DEV Galena can be found at: http://bit.ly/jaC85D

Contact:

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707