The need for improvements to the Kootenay Bay ferry terminal was identified in the 1996 Kootenay Lake ferry study. Preparatory work began in March on the arrestor bed, which stops runaway vehicles. Other work will include adding a lane to improve access to Scott Road and expanding the ferry parking lot. A similar system is in place at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.
Work involves constructing concrete side walls and installing a dragnet arresting system.
The netting system, with a continuous cable running through the top and bottom, is attached to energy absorbers which contain a spool of coiled steel tape. Upon impact from a runaway vehicle, the tape is pulled through a series of offset steel pins. The bending and straightening of the tape through this process causes a deceleration of the vehicle before entering the arrestor bed. The project is being managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Highways on behalf of the BC Transportation Financing Authority, and is part of the provincial government's jobs and investment strategy.