Local port and tourism officials are pushing dual plans to add waterborne transit to Detroit—one proposed ferry route would even connect to Canada.
"Detroit's residents and visitors might be able to hop on a water taxi to six destinations on the Detroit River as soon as next year," reports Eric D. Lawrence. There are also preliminary plans in the works to launch ferry service between Detroit and Windsor.
The idea for the water taxi is included in a study completed in 2014 by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy and Freshwater Transit. Currently the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy is hoping to secure $4.2 million in funding necessary to launch the service.
In related news, the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority "are also heading up an effort to develop a ferry service between the port authority terminal in Detroit and a Windsor landing spot, most likely near Caesars Windsor casino." Because Windsor is located in Canada, customs officials on either side of the border would have to sign off on the project, and so far Lawrence reports that officials have shown reluctance toward the idea. John Loftus, executive director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, informed Lawrence that the port authority has "$2.4 million available through a grant from the Federal Highway Administration to spend either on a ferry service or to assist the conservancy with its water taxi service."
Read the full story: Could Detroiters be hailing a water taxi soon?
New International Bridge Rising Over the Detroit River
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is under construction, towering over the Detroit River at a height of 772 feet on the U.S. side of the river.
Construction Details, Costs Emerge for Gordie Howe International Bridge
A plan to build the nation's longest cable-stayed bridge has been busy clearing benchmarks this summer.
Judge Clears the Way for Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit
The Michigan Department of Transportation ran into a powerful obstacle when acquiring land for a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Canada, but a county judge sided with the state.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority