Hamilton shipyard chosen to build new Simcoe Island Ferry: source

Ontario is expected to announce the province will be investing $3.3 million in a new ferry for the Simcoe Island community.

According to a source, the ferry will be built by Heddle Shipyards in Hamilton and will help support up to 24 local jobs during construction.

The ferry will ensure residents in the Simcoe Island community and visitors will have reliable access to the island.

The building of the ferry will also spur economic growth in the region by contributing to roughly $2 million of real GDP in the shipbuilding and supply-chain industries.

The new ferry is expected to be in service by late 2022.

It will allow for the transport of up to three times more vehicles than the current ferry, which was first launched in 1963.

The ferry will also be able to carry larger service vehicles, such as fire trucks and vehicles often used for maintaining roads and infrastructure.