What is the purpose of this project?
The purpose is to explore the potential for expanded use of the Long Island Sound and its tributaries for waterborne passenger and freight transportation and to develop a plan for waterborne transportation for Long Island Sound for the 2002-2025 time period.

Is this the first project to address Long Island Sound waterborne transportation planning issues?
No, several studies have been done over the years. An early task in the Waterborne Plan scope is to review data and conclusions from similar efforts, and incorporate the relevant information into the Waterborne Plan process.

Will this study recommend a new ferry terminal? Are new ferry routes being proposed?
The project is currently in the data collection phase - not yet at the point of making recommendations - so there are no specific new marine facilities, ferry routes, or other initiatives being considered. However, once the process of collecting and analyzing data is complete, we will begin the alternatives development phase, when all potential waterborne transportation improvement strategies will be considered. Your input and participation in this process is strongly encouraged.

Who is sponsoring this project? Who is conducting it?
The project is jointly sponsored by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), the Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency (GBRPA) and the Southwestern Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA). A multi-disciplinary consultant team led by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. is performing the plan.

Will this plan address freight movement or just passenger transportation?
Waterborne transportation of freight on the Long Island Sound will be studied, along with passenger routes.

When will the plan be finished?
Launched in February 2002, the Waterborne Plan process is projected for completion in Spring 2003.

Is funding available for the projects to be recommended in the plan?
Each of the three project sponsors - NYMTC, GBRPA, & SWRPA - is a Metropolitan Planning Organization, responsible for prioritizing the transportation investments made in its area by State agencies. The plan's recommendations will provide justification for decisions made by each of the MPO's that establish transportation spending priorities for years to come. Because the Waterborne Plan will recommend a range of projects to be implemented in various jurisdictions, funding for projects would necessarily come from a variety of sources, subject to legislative approval. In each jurisdiction, projects will be prioritized based on immediacy of need, cost, and availability of resources. In most cases, larger-scale projects would be funded through a mixture of sources - from some combination of local, state and federal funds, and/or private commercial investment. Some strategies identified in the Plan may also be suited specifically for private investors or public/private partnerships.

How can I contribute my input and receive updates on the project?
An extensive range of project meetings and other public involvement events will be scheduled through the Waterborne Plan process, and community members can contact the project team directly at any point during the project to make comments, share suggestions or ask questions. You can fill out the mailing list request form to sign up to receive meeting notices and other materials.