<p>In light of persistent traffic problems in downtown Vineyard Haven, the town is asking the Steamship Authority to look at alternative sites for the Island’s main ferry terminal. The Steamship Authority has agreed to look into the issue but has not committed to a study.</p>
In light of persistent traffic problems in downtown Vineyard Haven, the town is asking the Steamship Authority to look at alternative sites for the Island’s main ferry terminal.
In a letter dated Feb. 20, town administrator John W. Grande asked the boat line to “investigate the potential of relocating the Steamship Authority terminal at Water street outside of downtown Vineyard Haven.”
The Steamship Authority board of governors discussed the letter at a meeting this week in Woods Hole. The board agreed to look to discuss the issue but the Steamship Authority is not yet committing to a study.
The ferry terminal, which has been located at the same site since the mid-19th century, has long contributed to congestion at Five Corners and neighboring streets. During peak season, the lines of cars boarding and exiting the ferry grow long and choke the roadways.
In an effort to resolve these issues, the town considered relocating the terminal in the 1980s and again in 1990 but never took action. Planners with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission had looked at a site near the Tisbury drawbridge, which they said would cut down on traffic on State Road and help resolve issues at Five Corners intersection.
At a meeting in early February, Tisbury selectmen discussed previous feasibility studies and the benefits of a new long term planning study.
“It’s an idea that really needs consideration,” said selectman Jonathan V. Snyder.
Selectman Tristan Israel said he supported the study, but thought moving the terminal would be a very expensive project.
“I don’t really have any reservation about it per se, except for the permitting and costs,” he said.
Speaking to the Gazette Wednesday, Mr. Lamson said he was somewhat surprised by the request, but curious to review previous studies.
“Before I make a recommendation to our board, I think we have to get more information from the town as to what they are looking at,” he said.
In the meantime, the boat line is working to implement a short-term fix for vehicle congestion. In plans unveiled earlier this month, the boat line proposed a new vehicle ticketing lane and booth for the busy season. The reconfiguration, which is expected to cost $160,000 and will involve the removal of a streetside rain shelter and three drop-off parking spaces, will begin in early April.
In other Steamship Authority business, the board voted to contribute $10,000 to a pilot park-and-ride shuttle in Oak Bluffs. The free bus service, provided by the Vineyard Transit Authority, will shuttle passengers between Ocean Park and a parking lot near the town hall between June 20 and Sept. 1.
The total cost of the service is estimated at $39,000. The VTA expects the state to reimburse 70 per cent of the cost.
The boat line’s treasurer/comptroller Bob Davis reported to the board that the Steamship Authority ended 2014 with a net operating income of $7.7 million, which is about $4.6 million higher than anticipated. According to a meeting summary, Mr. Davis told the board that the difference can be attributed to higher than expected revenues, with almost $3.8 million coming from increased traffic levels in 2013. While maintenance fees were almost $2 million more than budgeted, Mr. Davis said, vessel fuel expenses were $1.2 million less than budgeted.
Mr. Lamson told the Gazette that excess revenue is set aside at the end of each month, as regulated by the authority’s enabling act, so the money does not stay in the operating budget.
“There are a number of transfers made throughout the year,” Mr. Lamson said. The money goes into the sinking fund, the reserve fund, and the replacement fund, which is used for projects instead of having to issue bonds and paying interest. Projects funded through the replacement fund include the Oak Bluffs terminal reconstruction and ferry refurbishments.
Comments
Moving the terminal into the
Anon UserMoving the terminal into the middle of Holmes Hole would seriously degrade the magestic harbor -- dumb idea.
Moving the terminal is
Ken Edg.Moving the terminal is impossible. This location allows for traffic to move in both directions. Do something about 5 corners if you want to spend money. I find the drivers are courteous and friendly, never had a problem getting through.
It would be tough to imagine
SSA RiderIt would be tough to imagine a more accommodating location than the present for docking in high winds or rough seas. For tourism it also makes the most sense to have the ferry right where it has been to funnel people downtown.
Has anyone looked at changing
MNMHas anyone looked at changing the flow of traffic out of the terminal, perhaps up Union Street to a reversed Main to State road? If Five Corners is the constraining factor, maybe the traffic pattern could be redesigned to bypass 5 corners. A park and ride is also a great idea, but isn't going to help people bringing their cars over and back.
This is a bizarre and
Thomas Hodgson wtThis is a bizarre and impractical idea. What are some of the things you'd need to do to move the terminal to the drawbridge area? Start with four or five acres of landfill, which will need to be high enough stay above rising sea levels. Building first floors will have to be what, 9 to 13' above sea level? You'll need a new breakwater, since the suggested location is exposed to storms. If you think the cost of the Woods Hole terminal rebuild, now approaching 70 million dollars, is high, wait until you see cost estimates for moving a Vineyard Haven terminal. Washington State Ferries are building a new terminal right now, in a much more favorable location. Cost? about 140 million dollars. http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130130/NEWS01/701309944
This project isn't fully
Thomas Hodgson wtThis project isn't fully comparable, but look at the price tag! http://www.adn.com/article/20141015/southeast-alaska-road-battle-reveal…
there are only two things
michael johnsonthere are only two things that will mitigate vineyard haven and martha's vineyard's traffic issues. 1- less cars ferried to the island, and 2- more efficient vehicle useage patterns by year round and summer residents. until the questions and answers are focused with these as end results it will continue to be an excersize in futility. though there are strong pressures economic and otherwise that predicate against taking this very simple and obvious assessment to heart, it is better done sooner than later. it will create the classic win-win situation. it will create a better quality of life for all, and will also create many new economic opportunities for islanders part-time and year round. no it won't be simple or easy, but in the end will be worth much more than will have been invested to gain the goals.
The issue isn't the wharf
Mr. B ChilmarkThe issue isn't the wharf area, it's the three public/quasi public parking lots (SSA, S&S, Post Office) that surround it and draw traffic into the wharf and Five Corners areas, traffic that cruises around and around (during the summer) looking for spots to park and increasing congestion. Two of these three "parking magnets" should be moved...along with the businesses that draw so many cars to this area. Cosnider getting both the PO and the S&S out of town.
I've been coming to the
Mr M. Long timer SSA UserI've been coming to the Vineyard for over 35 years, and its just part of the Vineyard summer season. So you wait maybe 10 minutes. I think the police and SSA do a fine job thus far.
smaller capacity boats not
Bob edgartownsmaller capacity boats not larger would help. But guess what we are getting larger capacity boats.
I live in Boston and have
ChetI live in Boston and have been coming to the Vineyard for years now. The worst traffic on the Vineyard (10 minutes?) is still a relief from a good day driving into/ out of the city!
Keep calm and slow down...you
Cara Slats West Tisbury / BostonKeep calm and slow down...you're on island now. ;) I'm sure the majority of the complaints come from people rushing to make a boat they should have left 15 minutes earlier to catch. Plan ahead...whether you're heading to SSA or work.
Moving S&S out by the airport would help tremendously!
Looks like someone has a lot
Summer personLooks like someone has a lot of time on their hands or owns real estate
Add new comment