Contributed by Prince William County
$3.4 Million Awarded to Support Fast Ferry Service in the National Capitol Region
WOODBRIDGE, VA… Today, Supervisor Frank J. Principi announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded $3.38 million in grant money to support improvements to the condition of public ferry systems by providing financial assistance for capital projects. “This is a huge win for fast ferry service in the National Capital Region,” said Supervisor Principi. The grant money will help establish a ferry service from Alexandria to the Naval Yard.
Supervisor Principi has long been an advocate for fast ferry service for the capitol region. Since taking office, Supervisor Principi has worked to bring ferry service to the forefront of the transportation debate. The Potomac River is the last unused highway between Prince William County and Washington, D.C. Every day, as Northern Virginia residents experience one of the longest commutes in the nation, the beautiful – and accessible – Potomac River sits unused for transportation purposes.
A 2009 Virginia Department of Transportation feasibility study concluded that passenger ferry service along the Potomac River is a viable transit option. Following that study a Regional Commuter Ferry Stakeholders Group comprised of two dozen representatives from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia have worked together to move this concept forward. The consulting firm of Nelson Naygaard conducted a regional market analysis that determined there was in fact demand for commuter and tourist passenger fast ferry service between selected origin and destination locations on the Occoquan, Potomac, and Anacostia Rivers.
“If we are ever going to solve our transportation challenges, fast ferry service and the extension of Metro are options that must be considered in long range planning,” said Supervisor Principi. “
For additional information on fast ferry service, please visit www.NewWoodbridge.org.
