Ferry services safe, says Transportation Minister Bill Fraser

The provincial government will not be making any further cuts to ferry services, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser said on Wednesday.

He made the comments during a road infrastructure upgrade announcement in Hampton, saying he wanted to "set the record straight" about ferries.

The Belleisle Bay, Evandale, Westfield, Kennebecasis Island, Gondola Point and Millidgeville ferries will remain in service, said Fraser.

"I wanted to make sure that message was loud and clear," he said.

The Department of Transportation cut the ferry service between Gagetown and Lower Jemseg in February and local residents were not happy about the decision.

Fraser said he sympathized with area residents, but the decision is final.

"I went and met with the mayor of Gagetown and I met with Mr. [Wilf] Hiscock who is the organizer of the committee to save the Gagetown ferry and I made it very clear that we are not reversing this decision," he said.

"It's no secret our government went through a tough fiscal situation and our province has gone through it and we are trying to get our fiscal health, so we can invest in job creation and education and health care, which are the top priorities for New Brunswickers."

'Wouldn't take that to the bank'

Andrew MacInnis is a resident of Lower Jemseg and has been an active voice against the province's decision to cut the ferry.

"The rationale that was used to eliminate services from Gagetown and Jemseg would be no different than the rationale that the province could use for the next ferry and then the next ferry. So I wouldn't take that to the bank," he said.

"We have received nothing but inaccurate information right from the word going."

To be quite honest, I don't have any faith in what the province says about lower river ferries.- Andrew MacInnis, Lower Jemseg resident

He said the elimination of the ferry has affected the social structure and economy of the two communities.

"To be quite honest, I don't have any faith in what the province says about lower river ferries. I think we'll have to wait and see," MacInnis said.

MacInnis questioned the province's decision to eliminate the village's ferry while building a new one to accommodate Kennebecasis Island.

"Nobody lives on the island. It's a summer community. There are 75 distinct residences. There is a new ferry being constructed which had an annual vehicle use of 27,000 vehicles compared to Gagetown, which was 87,000," MacInnis said.

"The key factor is there is no other way to the island," said Fraser when asked about the new ferry to Kennebecasis Island.

"Nobody would have access to their homes without that ferry service and with the Gagetown ferry, there is alternate route."

Fraser was in Hampton to announce road upgrades of more than $775,000 will be made in the town  and Sussex Corner under the Municipal Designated Highway Program.

In Hampton, Route 121, also known as Main Street, will undergo curb and gutter work as well as paving from the railway crossing toward Hampton Middle School.

In Sussex Corner, Earnhardt Road will be paved from Cougle Road to Route 111.