Improved Access to the BBTCA

Updated: January 12 , 2007

The Toronto Port Authority has improved the access to the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) by revitalizing the ferry service.

The improvements consisted of the replacement of one of the ferries, repair and maintenance of the ferry slips and vehicle ramps, and construction of covered waiting facilities on each side of the Western Channel.  The buildings and new ferry officially commenced operation on October 11, 2006.

Project Status

New Ferry:
The new ferry, TCCA 1, which has a length overall of 30.48 metres long and a beam of 11.50 metres, was fabricated by Hike Metal Products Ltd. in Wheatley, Ontario.

The new vessel was constructed in just over 12 months and was delivered to the Port of Toronto on September 16, 2006.

                  Photo of the TCCA 1 operating in the Western Channel

Repairs and Maintenance of Existing Ferry Slips and Ramps:
The north and south ferry slips which were originally constructed in the late 1930's underwent extensive work to repair the existing timber structure and replace the existing vehicle ramps with improved, hydraulically operated vehicle ramps.  This work was undertaken by Dean Construction Company Limited, an experienced company specializing in marine construction. 

                                          Photo of the ferry ramp on the city-side, and the ferry slip on the island-side

New Ferry Passenger Transfer Facilities:
The new facilities consist of two buildings, one on each side of the Western Channel where ferry passengers can wait in comfort for the ferry between the airport and the mainland.  The city-side facility has a gross floor area of 649 square metres and the island-side facility has a gross floor area of 425 square metres.

The design-build contract for these facilities was awarded to Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd who completed the buildings by the August 2006.

Pavement improvements on Bathurst Street and within the mainland turning circles are scheduled for completion in early spring.  Similarly final landscape work, including planting and walkways, will be implemented in the spring.

                                                    Photo of the exterior of the city-side Ferry Passenger Transfer Facility, 
                                                      and the exterior of the island-side Ferry Passenger Transfer Facility  

Ken Lundy, P.Eng.
Chief of Operations and Engineering
Questions or Comments: tcca-access@torontoport.com