LEONARDTOWN, Md. – During the February 13, 2024, St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Commissioners received an update on the exciting Chesapeake Bay passenger ferry study.
Department of Economic Development Director Chris Kaselemis along with Development Facilitator Ben Cohen presented the current report for the study which included where they are in the process, possible routes for the ferry, and even a potential vessel.
The study, which is currently in the Stakeholder Outreach Phase, is being conducted by Cambridge Systematics and is supported by a consortium of counties including Calvert, Anne Arundel, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, and St. Mary’s. The study is funded by a matching grant awarded to Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan: Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Program.
According to the meeting memo, “The purpose of the Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Feasibility Study is to evaluate the potential for a new passenger ferry service that could stimulate economic growth within each host community, provide improved access to the Bay, provide new water transportation connectivity options, and promote enhanced tourism opportunities throughout the region.”
The approach for the study is to define a proposed passenger ferry system in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, identify a more limited short-term baseline Passenger Ferry System to focus immediate investments, develop ridership forecasts and supporting financial analyses, assess vessel options, and provide recommended actions and strategies to advance the project.
During the presentation, Cohen went over the possible baseline routes for the passenger ferry. Below is a map of the proposed routes. The green dots represent sites that are anticipated to have the greatest possibility of demonstrating interest in and success of a passenger ferry service on the Chesapeake Bay within one to three years – while also ensuring geographic diversity.
Potential routes included in the baseline Passenger Ferry System include:
- Baltimore – Rock Hall – Kent Narrows – St. Michaels – Matapeake – Annapolis
- Baltimore – Annapolis
- Annapolis – Chesapeake Beach – Solomons Island – Crisfield
- Chesapeake Beach – Oxford – Easton – Cambridge
- Solomons Island – St. Mary’s City – Crisfield – Solomons Island
- Solomons Island – Cambridge
According to a brochure that was attached to the meeting memo, “It should be acknowledged that as the system develops and expands, there will be numerous opportunities to identify routes that connect our Maryland communities with locations in Virginia (via the Chesapeake and Potomac), Washington, DC (via the Potomac), and Delaware (via the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal).”
It was also noted during the presentation that Cohen proposed a potential vessel for the passenger ferry system which is the Candela P-12 electric ferry. Although they stated many on the project have sided with Cohen’s proposed vessel, it is still just an idea.
The anticipated completion of the Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Feasibility Study is the end of June 2024. We do want to make it clear that this is just a feasibility study, and nothing is actively in the works.
Click here to watch the full Commissioner’s meeting.
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The green lines already have a damn bridge near them. So this is just for a trendy alternate method of crossing rather than an actual travel benefit. Figures
YES PLEASE!!!!
Question: How many Slo’ Joe’s Chinese batteries sinking into the Bay does take to cause permanent damage?
Will it be electric? Or powered by evil fossil fuels?
No cars allowed
More tax dollars wasted. Wake up!
Where a ferry is most needed is from crisfield to st mary’s. This can cut down on the traffic flowing up and down the eastern shore roads. It would help crisfields local economy and southern maryland’s economy. Currently there are no bridges (except the bay bridge) to link he two counties. I would definitely do day trips back and forth on that route.