Prince Rupert Assesses Major New Transportation Infrastructure Connecting the Tsimshian Peninsula

In 2009, City of Prince Rupert received a $20,000 grant from Northern Development through the Feasibility Studies program towards this $310,000 project. This has been a funding partnership of City of Prince Rupert, Northern Development, District of Port Edward, Lax Kw'alaams First Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

2012-Prince Rupert is situated on the north coast of British Columbia and is located within the traditional territory of the Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla people. Over 1,200 First Nations people reside on the Tsimshian Peninsula. The Lax Kw’alaams First Nation is located 20 km north of Prince Rupert and the Metlakatla First Nation is located on the Peninsula near Venn Passage. While located only a short distance from Prince Rupert, both of these communities are isolated from the city, having access only to intermitent ferry or water taxi service.

The Prince Rupert Airport is located on Digby Island and air travelers must travel on buses via ferry in order to commute between the airport and the city. While the airport is only about 5 km from the city, travelling to the airport takes approximately one and a half hours. This lack of access has hindered business development and has limited Prince Rupert’s ability to attract new investment while hindering the ability of the First Nations communities to grow and access vital community services.

In 2009, the City of Prince Rupert and their partners, Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, received funding from Northern Development and BC’s Ministry of Transportation to investigate the feasibility of a major transportation infrastructure project aimed at addressing access to the airport and First Nations communities. A feasibility study was conducted and it was determined that the Digby Island/Tsimshian Peninsula Access Project would be economically feasible and advantageous for all involved project partners.

The results of the study provided the City and its partners with recommendations concerning a location for a ferry terminal on Digby Island, the consolidation of multiple local ferry services into a single ferry operation, and the construction of roadways linking the Lax Lw’alaams and Metlakatla communities and ferry terminals. The final report of the study outlines the steps that are required to move the project along to the next phase including the major capital fundraising that will be required, and ultimately recommends that the project be further developed.

"The Tsimshian Access Project is a crucial infrastructure project to Prince Rupert and the Northern Corridor of the Asia Pacific Gateway. It will allow us to reach our full potential as an international transportation link. By increasing the accessibility to our airport we will have an opportunity to provide air cargo services for user of our Port that require an expedited alternative for their products. It will also provide road access to the First Nations communities of Metlakatla and Lax Kw'alaams, effectively reducing the barriers to First Nations participation in the new Port economy by providing easier access to meaningful employment opportunities."

Derek Baker, Economic Development Officer, City of Prince Rupert and the District of Port Edward

Positive Economic Impacts in Prince Rupert

The study identified significant operational savings, savings to airport users, proceeds from real estate, and numerous social benefits that could be realized through investment in the Digby Island/Tsimshian Peninsula Access Project. Additional economic spin-offs from this project were identified in air service, aquaculture and fish processing, tourism, as well as future land development. It is anticipated that the Tsimshian Peninsula Access Project could potentially add annual employment income to the economy, and produce net transportation savings for the City of Prince Rupert.

The Digby Island/Tsimshian Peninsula Access Project would allow for vehicle traffic to access or depart from the airport and area every thirty minutes from Prince Rupert. Regular access to Digby Island and the Tsimshian Peninsula would create the opportunity for potential development on Digby Island. With the ongoing major investment and transportation infrastructure development in Prince Rupert that is connected to the Fairview Container Terminal, land on Digby Island could be accessed for warehousing, air cargo, and cold storage related to fishing and food products.

Feasibility Studies

The Feasibility Studies is no longer available. Please visit the Capital Investment Analysis program page

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