TORONTO, (Dec. 11, 2003) — The Toronto Port Authority today approved in principle the construction of a new passenger and freight terminal at its port facilities on the lakeshore to accommodate a Toronto-Rochester, N.Y. ferry service scheduled to begin in May 2004.

The Board approved a sum of up to $8 million dollars for the facility, which will house an arrivals and departures hall, retail space, and facilities for customs and immigration. The ferry service is initially scheduled to sail twice daily, taking just over two hours, between the two cities and will increase to three trips daily during peak tourism season. The service will be operated by Canadian American Transportation Systems, and will accommodate 750 passengers and 238 vehicles, including commercial trucks and buses.

Henry Pankratz, TPA chairman, said the plan still hinges on co-operation from the City of Toronto in honouring a scheduled payment of $7.2 million. Secondly, TPA is asking the city to assist with the costs of interim sewage treatment for the new terminal until a permanent infrastructure can be installed.

CATS ferry details are available at www.spiritofontario.com.