Old Town Alexandria A Possible Stop For Electric Hydrofoil Ferry Pilot On Potomac

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Old Town Alexandria could become a stop on a proposed electric hydrofoil ferry route on the Potomac River.

Old Town is one of six potential terminal sites recommended for further study as part of a regional ferry pilot, according to a presentation Wednesday to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

The pilot is a project of the DC Mobility Innovation District, which says hydrofoil boats, which rise slightly above the water and create nearly no wake, can cut travel times to water-accessible areas in half while costing far less than traditional passenger ferries. The presentation noted that Sweden has successfully deployed the technology.

Their lack of wake could exempt the boats from some river speed limits.

Old Town lies on a potential route connecting National Harbor and the Navy Yard, according to the presentation. DCMID predicts that the ferry would draw more than half of its ridership from car drivers.

Issues raised at the presentation included questions about funding, state subsidies for the program, required infrastructure, disturbance to other boats and more, according to the Alexandria Brief. However, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins said it would be "a missed opportunity" not to participate in further study.

Regional officials have studied passenger ferry service on the Potomac periodically for roughly 25 years. Previous studies have included Alexandria as a potential stop, but no commuter ferry system has moved forward.

The latest proposal remains in the study stage. DCMID concluded its presentation by asking the COG to support further data gathering and analysis of the project.