Bella Coola Terminal Description

Request for Expressions of Interest – Northern Routes
BELLA COOLA TERMINAL (Route 40)
Routes served
Bella Coola is on the Mainland, at the end of Burke Channel. The terminal
services:
Route 40: Summer Service Only June-September (Labour Day)
Bear Cove, McLoughlin Bay, Shearwater, Klemtu, Bella Coola, Ocean Falls.
Bella Coola is also accessible to the rest of the province through Highway 20,
(Mackenzie Highway).
Canadian Hydrographic Service Datum Tidal Values
Recorded Extreme High Water: 5.700 m
Recorded Extreme Low Water: -0.091 m
Description of facilities and services
The terminal has one berth consisting of a single level, timber-framed ramp, and
a turning dolphin. A steel superstructure on a steel pontoon supports the ramp.
The ramp pontoon incorporates fender pads for berthing the vessel and the
pontoon is secured with pipe guide piles along the trestle to the right side of the
berth (looking seaward).
Current Berth Load Limit:
¾ 50,000 kg GVW; no length restriction; width restriction of maximum 4.3
meters (14’-0”).
There are no shore-based facilities at the terminal, other than an electrical
building. There are no short or long-term parking capabilities and no vehicle
holding compound at the terminal. Long-term parking can be leased in Bella
Coola. Ferry traffic is held back in town, approximately 2 kilometers away and
marshalled out to the terminal when called.
Situational Assessment
Description of facilities and services
Most of the marine structures consist of used equipment relocated and adapted
to provide minimal service. Basically, there are no shore-based facilities.
Appendix E – Bella Coola Terminal Information
1
Request for Expressions of Interest – Northern Routes
With no significant increase in traffic demand, there is no immediate need to
improve the terminal facilities above the minimum service currently being
provided.
Conditions
The equipment used to construct the berth in 1996, generally consisted of
relocated, used equipment. Their exact condition is not known although the
pontoon and towers superstructures were coated and the coating remains intact.
The age of the pontoon is not known but it appears that the ramp was originally
constructed in 1980.
Cathodic protection of the steel pontoon and the steel pile wall was installed in
2002 to extend the life of the structures. Master planning is not scheduled for
Bella Coola.
Other issues
The terminal offers only basic service.
Following are the outstanding issues at Bella Coola that should be addressed:
¾ Property Ownership – The water lot is under federal jurisdiction with a
Transfer of Administration and Control (TAC) to Public Works and
Government Services. The TAC expires in May 2060. Ministry of
Transportation has jurisdiction over the uplands. BC Ferries has a license of
occupation, renewed yearly, with Bella Coola Harbour Authority at the site.
Implementation
There are no capital projects identified for Bella Coola in the current 15 year
Capital Plan.
Appendix E – Bella Coola Terminal Information
2