There are a handful of ideas that have floated into Portland over the years that didn’t make a big splash but also refuse to sink.
The Frog Ferry is one such ribbiting concept — its proponents envision a safe and sustainable public passenger ferry service on the Willamette River and Columbia River. In its proposed pilot stage, operation would run between Cathedral Park and the RiverPlace Hotel for $3.50 a trip. Once fully realized, the voyage would include nine stops, from Oregon City to Vancouver, connecting with other regional transportation modes like Portland Streetcar, TriMet, and BIKETOWN.
The pilot, 70-passenger ferry would run on biodiesel. Ultimately, the fleet would grow to seven electrified ferries that could charge on the shoreline overnight.
Rendering courtesy of @frog_ferry
Locally, there are similar, existing projects; for proof of concept (albeit on a much smaller scale) you only have to look as far as the Canby Ferry and the Wheatland Ferry. It’s also a practice that’s growing in popularity around the world.
In recent years, funding hurdles have left Friends of Frog Ferry stuck in the mud, but as Portland transitions to a new form of government, the nonprofit is jumping at the opportunity to make its mission stick.
“The new City Charter enables bold innovative ideas. It is time to come out of hibernation and activate Portland,” said Friends of Frog Ferry’s founder and president Susan Bladholm in a recent press release. “Frog Ferry is... ready to partner to apply for federal dollars that will fund a new green transit solution.”
Frog Ferry would also increase access to Portland’s largest green space in nearby Forest Park,
Photo via Gangstaoflove
On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the project’s advocates, including members of Human Access Project and the Downtown Portland Neighborhood Association, made their case beneath the St. Johns Bridge, calling on city leaders for help securing investment from the federal government’s Infrastructure Bill and the Portland Climate Investment Plan. Frog Ferry would reportedly offset 3,170 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year (rising to 95 million pounds of CO2 annually with seven electric vessels).
Other more tangible benefits would include revitalizing several waterfront spaces, reducing commuter time (especially for OHSU employees), and paving the way for more people to be able to live car-free.
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