NS: Marine Atlantic leaves dock with $175 million

[SYDNEY, NS] — The Marine Atlantic ferry service linking Cape Breton to Newfoundland and Labrador will receive a $175-million cash infusion over the next two years.

The Conservative government announced its infrastructure investment as part of their 2010 financial budget. Minister of State of Transport Rob Merrifield said the money will be used to update the Crown corporation’s fleet and shore facilities.

“The Smallwood and the Caribou are getting pretty long in the tooth,” said Merrifield of two of Marine Atlantic’s ferries. “We have to look at what options are available for us with this extra tool we have now, which is this extra money.”

He added that while the new MV Atlantic Vision has experienced many initial problems, it has proven effective in load and passenger capacity.

Merrifield said the public should likely expect spending announcements to be made in spring.

Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking welcomed the investment Thursday, but was cautious about how far the money will go.

“While $175 million is a good deal of money, it’s doubtful that a new ship could be built for that amount,” he said. “I hope a good portion of that money will go to renew the Marine Atlantic terminal in North Sydney.”