There is a fast ferry project in the works between Rochester, New York and Toronto. I thought that this ferry was just an idea being floated about, but it seems it is in the water and undergoing sea trials. A web site from the ferry's operators Canadian American Transportation Systems is tracking the progress of the ferry project and is gearing up for a spring 2004 launch. www.catsfastferry.com

There is a lot of discussion about this project in Rochester. The local news paper the Democrat and Chronicle has a section of their web site dedicated to the Fast Ferry Project. Fast Ferry News.

As you read these news stories you learn that the plan is for the ferry is to dock in the portlands just west of Cherry Beach. The Toronto Port Authority has a link on their web site indicating that there is a Request for Proposals for a Ferry Terminal Building International Ferry Passenger Terminal Project Information. This appears to be going ahead without any public consultation or consideration regarding the impact the ferry service will have on Cherry Beach, Toronto Island and the portlands area. The Ferry may be a great thing for Toronto and Torontonians, but there are two questions that should be answered at public consultations before this goes ahead. One, is the best place to dock the ferry next to Cherry Beach? If it is the second question is what problems come with the ferry and how can they be mitigated?

The Ferry will carry 220 cars / 750 passengers and is scheduled to make 3 trips per day. If the Ferry Terminal Building is located on the Toronto Port Authority's Property next to Cherry Beach the traffic onto and off of the ferry will have to go through the intersection of Cherry Street and Unwin Avenue.

Image from TPA's web site. Click image to go to Toronto Port Authority's Map page

Have there been transportation studies done on the impact in the area? Where will cars line up to board the ferry 3 times per day? The Martin Goodman Trail runs along Cherry Street and crosses it at one point. Has the impact on the trail and cyclists been considered. These are concerns that should be addressed before the Ferry starts up. I have not been able to find any indication that consultations have been done.

While there has been little discussion in Toronto about this project there has been much in Rochester. A quick web search reveals that there are some who are raising concerns about environmental issues posed by the ferry. An article on the possible impacts of a fast ferry can be found at the following link. www.ggw.org/RochesterEnvironment/fast_ferry.htm Some of these issues outlined in the above article are noise pollution, wake damage, interference with other boat traffic, impact on wildlife, and problems that arise when the powerful propulsion system of the ferry stirs up lake bottom sediments.

Hopefully there will be an opportunity for residents to find out what is being planned and also to raise any concerns they have with the project.