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A proposal intended to steer traffic from clogged pavement to open water may soon gain steam — at least advocates hope so.
The county's Metropolitan Planning Organization recently introduced to stakeholders an idea to ferry commuters by boat from southeast Hillsborough County to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
It would cost about $2.2 million to acquire vessels for the project, consultants say, plus an unknown amount for dock improvements and expanded parking facilities at Williams Park near Gibsonton, which would serve as the pickup and dropoff spot.
The ferry route would require up to four 42-seat vessels, traveling up to 40 mph, according to the consultants' feasibility report. One option would be for passengers to pay $5.60, an amount projected to recoup operating costs. Lower fares are also included in the report for consideration.
About 5,600 MacDill military or civilian workers commute daily to the base from Gibsonton or Apollo Beach, according to the study. The service would start with 150 to 600 riders, consultants estimate, before growing to about 1,400 by 2035. Still in its early phases, there is no projected start date for the project.
MPO committees will discuss it during public meetings this month, beginning Wednesday. The proposal is then scheduled to go before the MPO board in December and would ultimately require approval by the Hillsborough County Commission.
For the full article, visit the St. Petersburg Times.
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