Are you ready for public ferryboats on the Merrimack River? Because they are “almost” ready for you!
In 2022, MeVa Transit was awarded funding through the Low-No Emissions Federal Transit Authority (FTA) Grant for the construction of two solar powered ferryboats. This initiative embraces history with a future-forward vision of a comfortable, efficient foot-ferry service shuttling between Haverhill and Newburyport with a proposed stop in Amesbury.
Ferryboat travel is not new to the Merrimack River. As documented in the photographs below, a steamship running from Haverhill’s “Black Rocks” landing to Salisbury transported passengers in the late 19th century.
Steamship ferry at Black Rocks landing in Haverhill
Steamer Merrimac leaving Black Rocks, Mass
Since the FTA grant does not cover operations or dockside improvements, MVPC is partnering with MeVa Transit to develop a Ferryboat Business Plan with support from a consultant to estimate additional funding needs and guide service design for ferry operations. This plan will align with federal, state, regional, and local regulations alongside transportation, environmental and resiliency goals including support of emergency response, dockside ADA compliance, support of river ecology, and cross region connectivity for all transportation modes, among other opportunities which will be assessed in the final plan.
Rendering of proposed MeVa Ferryboad