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 the hydrofoil boats, which rise slightly above the water and cause nearly no wake, can cut travel times to water-accessible areas by half while costing far less than traditional passenger ferries. The presentation noted that the technology has been deployed successfully in Sweden.

Their lack of wake could allow the boats to be exempt 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. Alexandria has been included as a potential stop in previous studies, 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.