The development of the Waterborne Plan is guided by a Steering Committee, whose membership is drawn from effected agencies and the sponsoring MPOs. An Advisory Committee, whose members are drawn from communities, businesses and public agencies that have a direct interest in the region's ferries and its transportation future, will provide valuable input to the Steering Committee throughout the project. The project will be closely coordinated with the work of the Long Island Sound Ferry Coalition, a consortium of transportation agencies, service providers, and coastal communities from New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. In addition, the project includes an extensive public involvement component to provide opportunities for wide community participation throughout the process.

The Waterborne Plan will address marine facilities, marinas and harbors adjoining Long Island Sound and its tributaries. The plan will assess the full range of potential ferry services and routes - both passenger and freight - that might address congestion and travel needs. The work will be based on market assessments, a thorough understanding of the landside transportation connections that ferry terminals require, and consideration of the potential impacts of ferry facilities - both positive and negative - on their host communities.

The planning process will be regional and multi-state in its approach so that the eventual recommendations guide and coordinate a wide range of interrelated ferry development activities - terminal planning and construction, navigation system improvements, highway and rail system improvements, land acquisition and project implementation.

Projected Timeline