Welcome to our weekly column in which a topic of interest, piece of news, relevant opinion, or general request for feedback is presented. We’ll offer the topic du jour and accompanying question, and you have the opportunity to respond with your thoughts.
Simply fill out the form below. A collection of each week’s responses will appear in the following week’s column. To view responses on our previous topics click here.
Publisher reserves the right to edit responses for clarity and publish online and/or in our print publications.
Please let us know your thoughts!
This week’s Feedback Friday topic is:
Bay Ferries Back in Action?
Years ago—as in 60, 70, 80—large passenger/car ferries traversed the Chesapeake Bay and back. Before there was a Bay Bridge, these ferries were the way to the Shore, and the Atlantic vacation beaches beyond. But as the first steel-span bridge was built across the Chesapeake, then a second, those ferries faded into the history books. Today, there are a few working ferries in and near Chesapeake waters, including those running between Oxford/Bellevue, and the famous Cape May-Lewes vessel.
But that may change. And two very recent events hint at their resurrection. First, a five-county tourism consortium spearheaded by Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) began accepting proposals to determine the feasibility of initiating sustainable passenger ferry service to connect key Maryland destinations along the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more about these plans here.
Then, just yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced $384.4 million in federal funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for expanding and improving the nation’s ferry service in communities across the country, as well as accelerate the transition to zero emission transportation. “This funding will benefit millions of Americans—from Alaska to Michigan to Maryland—who depend on coastal waters, rivers, bays, and other bodies of water to connect to their communities,” the Dept. of Transportation release stated.
“With these grants, we are improving and expanding ferry service in the communities that rely on waterways the most—often in more rural, remote regions—connecting people to jobs, services, and city centers while cutting climate pollution,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
What do you think about a return to ferries crossing the Chesapeake Bay? Traffic reliever or nautical nuisance? Novel idea or never-again?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form. Today’s responses—and all future Feedback Friday responses—will be published in our Monday newsletters after the weekend. AND, several responses from recent topics will appear in our upcoming print magazines!
