MV Sound of Islay to Undergo Rehabilitation to Prepare for Service as Swing Vessel in Provincial Fleet

Transportation and Works
January 31, 2017

Improving Regional Transit Services and Boosting Tourism

MV Sound of Islay to Undergo Rehabilitation to Prepare for Service as Swing Vessel in Provincial Fleet

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are making strategic infrastructure investments to support community services and economic development.

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works for Newfoundland and Labrador and the Honourable Judy Foote, federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of Minister Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today announced more than $5.96 million in federal and provincial funding for the rehabilitation of the MV Sound of Islay.

ï¿½Through discussions with our federal counterparts and enhanced criteria under the New Build Canada Fund, we were able to successfully leverage federal funding to move this project forward. The refit of the MV Sound of Islay will get underway in the coming days and once complete, the vessel will be an important addition to the provincial fleet, serving as a swing vessel where and when required.ï¿½
- The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works

Work involves replacing approximately 210 square metres of deteriorated steel to improve the structural capacity of the underwater hull, widening passageways and modifying facilities to improve accessibility, and installing a new electrical switchboard to increase electrical reliability on board.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will provide $3.97 million for this project with the Government of Canada contributing up to $1.98 million.

ï¿½Our government is working in close partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that support job creation, strengthen the middle class, and generate new economic opportunities across the province. The rehabilitation of the MV Sound of Islay will ensure safe and reliable transportation of people and goods to the communities it serves.ï¿½
- The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

The MV Sound of Islay is the only vessel in the intra-provincial ferry fleet that can operate out of all 24 ports on the Island, making it a highly valuable asset for Newfoundland and Labradorï¿½s marine transit services.

These upgrades will allow the intra-provincial ferry fleet to resume operations and help meet increasing service demands during peak commercial and tourism seasons, generating more traffic for local businesses and promoting economic growth throughout the region.

QUICK FACTS

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will provide $3.97 million for this project with the Government of Canada contributing up to $1.98 million.
The MV Sound of Islay is the only vessel in the intra-provincial ferry fleet that can operate out of all 24 ports on the Island, making it a highly valuable asset for Newfoundland and Labradorï¿½s marine transit services.
The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canadaï¿½s rural and northern communities.

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Media contacts:

Brian Scott Media Relations Manager Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-1758, 725-9201 brianscott@gov.nl.ca	Brook Simpson Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities 613-219-0149 Brook.Simpson@canada.ca
Infrastructure Canada 613-960-9251 Toll free: 1-877-250-7154 media@infc.gc.ca Twitter: @INFC_eng Web: Infrastructure Canada

2017 01 31 3:00 p.m.

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