The agreement to carry out the study follows submission of a petition signed by Gabriola Island residents who would like to see the existing ferry service with a fixed link.
The ministry will retain an independent consultant to examine potential locations, provide cost estimates and undertake a cost comparison between the fixed link and the existing ferry service.
The feasibility study begin this autumn and is expected to be completed in spring 2015.
Gabriola Island is home to approximately 4,000 full-time residents and the ferry route carried 341,000 vehicles in 2013-14.
Minister of transportation and infrastructure Todd Stone said: “Gabriola Island residents have petitioned the provincial government to do this study so that any future discussion about a fixed link can be based on current, factual information. On that basis, and in consideration of our vision that coastal communities are connected in a sustainable manner, we’ll assess the feasibility of a fixed link between the two islands.”
