One step closer to regional harbour

After years of talks about a deep sea harbour in Sault Ste. Marie it looks like something similar to the original idea could become a reality. The harbour would be regional, but not deep sea and could look something like the photo shown.

After years of talks about a deep sea harbour in Sault Ste. Marie it looks like something similar to the original idea could become a reality.

The harbour would be regional, but not deep sea and could look something like the photo shown.

Before the cities’ plan becomes a certainty, research into just how successful a regional public harbour could be needs to be done.

Trevor Woods, coordinator for the Transportation Infrastructure Committee, told council at Monday’s meeting a market assessment and feasibility study must be completed before the city can move forward with a new harbour.

"We are moving forward in a very positive way,” said Woods. “The feasibility study will be a pivotal point for the project. We are optimistic, but we must wait and see what the results of the study are. At the same time we are working towards the successful establishment of an expanded port for the overall health of the community.”

The details behind what exactly makes our potential new harbour different from the deep sea variety previously discussed were not explained; Woods said plans still need to be ironed out.

"The use of the phrase 'deep sea' is not exactly the right wording. I don't think we're looking at 45-foot ocean liners rolling into the port. We're still looking at defining the details, but we don't want to mislead anyone by the use of the words deep sea,” he said.

The accounting firm KPMG was granted approval from city council on Monday to conduct a market assessment and feasibility study.

Woods confirmed to council $100,000 in FedNor funding for the study as announced recently by Minister of FedNor Tony Clement.

The remaining $50,000 needed to complete the study will come out of the $250,000 originally allocated by the city to save the Huron Central railroad.

Only $50,000 was needed for the successful push to save the railroad.

Woods said the study is expected to be completed in mid-to-late April and he will discuss the findings with council soon after.

Included in the report will be analysis regarding the current and future demand for an expanded port, a study into the inner connections with other transportation access across Northeastern Ontario and internationally, potential economic/employment benefits and the environmental impact of the proposed harbour.

Also in the report will be potential frameworks for operational management of an expanded port, along with a cost/benefit analysis.

Woods said the Transportation Infrastructure Committee is currently focused on looking ahead in anticipation of a good report coming back from KPMG; which he said means building a strong relationship with Essar Steel at the corporate level, with a specific focus on the port division, and starting to look at the design/build stages for the harbour.

If the report from KPMG is determined to be positive the committee’s focus would then quickly shift to securing funding to make the harbour a reality.

"I think our focus would shift very quickly to what capital investments are required and what are the funding sources associated with that. The committee is anticipating the next step would be look at the details at how to move forward with both potential funding capital and what would the operating model look like,” he said.

Woods also anticipates interest from several private businesses – including Tenaris Algoma Tubes.

"I think what you'll see in April, once the study is completed, is a wide variety of interest," he said. "As KPMG is currently studying, there is whole range of potential partners, primarily private businesses. One example who has shown some positive interest would be Tenaris.”

As for the whereabouts of the harbour, Woods said an exact location has yet to be finalized.