Work on the Needles ferry is going to put the service out of operation for part of this weekend.
“One of the two main engines of the Needles ferry has recently been rebuilt and is now ready for re-installation,” says a release from the Ministry of Transportation.
There have been several big disruptions to the ferry service in recent months. In February, the service stopped while the engine needing servicing was removed from the craft.
The reinstallation was supposed to occur March 9th to March 10th, but was to postponed to ensure all the right personnel were available for the job. The ferry service was not interrupted on those dates.
The reinstallation will now occur over this weekend, March 16th to March 17th.
“The work will occur overnight to minimize disruption to the travelling public,” the Ministry says.
The department says planned maintenance like this helps to keep the inland ferries safe, reliable and efficient.
The ferry can carry about 30 cars and 144 passengers. It runs on the half-hour crossing Arrow Lakes for most of the day, then on-demand overnight from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.