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."
FULL STORY: Could Detroiters be hailing a water taxi soon?
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.