Here's the deal with those weird new towers at Toronto's ferry terminal
Strange-looking metal towers now loom above the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal along Toronto's waterfront, and while they look like something out of a science-fiction flick, they will soon become an integral part of an annual spring and summer tradition in the city.
The first of Toronto's pair of new all-electric ferries, known as Lady of the Quays, is scheduled for delivery in late fall 2026, and is expected to enter service next spring after conducting trials and crew training. The second ferry, dubbed Toronto Islander, is scheduled to arrive on the waterfront next spring with passenger service to begin in 2027.
It will be a huge upgrade from the current century-plus-old ferries that chug across the harbour, though this modernization requires new supporting infrastructure, like the towers now visible within the outdoor terminal at the foot of Bay St.
CreateTO shared an update on the preparation work ahead of the ferries' arrivals, explaining the purpose behind these curious new towers.
CreateTO wrote, "You might be wondering what those big new towers at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal are. Technically, they're Automatic Shore Charging Systems for Toronto's new all-electric ferries! (But you can call them charging towers)."
"As the City prepares to welcome its first new vessel, Lady of the Quays, later this year, these towers will help power cleaner, quieter and more accessible trips to and from Toronto Island when the new ferries enter service, planned for 2027."
The post goes on to explain how "This critical infrastructure was recently installed overnight to not disrupt your ferry experience."
Despite the welcome modernization of the City's ferry fleet and infrastructure, locals are still waiting on a long-promised redevelopment of the Ferry Terminal selected in 2015 through an international design competition, with no apparent movement on the plan in years.
CreateTO
