Wayne Long wants ferry service to Partridge Island

Saint John MP Wayne Long wants regular boat access to Partridge Island, and he wants it to happen soon.

Long made his comments while releasing an engineering study that says building a safe pedestrian causeway to the island would cost between $27 million and $40 million.

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Long says boat access would be far less expensive, estimatinga wharf could be constructed on the island for about $5 million.

The 20 acre island at the entrance to Saint John's inner harbour has several historic sites including military installations, tunnels, cemeteries and foundations from 19th century buildings, including quarantine hospitals.

It is also home to a lighthouse.

The times for studying Partridge Island are over.- Wayne Long, MP

The island can be reached only via an 1100 meter breakwater controlled by Coast Guard Canada.Walking on top of the breakwater is difficult and access to the public is officially restricted.

Long wants to change that and he believes a ferry service can be established within the mandate of the Trudeau Government.

"It's a duty of our government to restore a part of our nation's history," said Long. "I don't think there's any doubt that providing access to Partridge Island by boat would be a wonderful tourism asset for our region."

Long believes the wharf itself can be built quickly.

"We don't need study to build a wharfthe times for studying Partridge Island are over in my books," said Long.

"The time for action is now."