Commuters on the North and South Forks may get a reprieve — by water. Suffolk County will study the possibility of a Peconic Bay ferry system as a potential connection between the traffic-clogged forks.
The study — approved by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council at its meeting on Thursday,Feb. 26 — will look at a passenger ferry system between Greenport, Orient, Montauk, Riverhead, Sag Harbor and North Sea.
The study is expected to begin later this year and wrap up by March 2028.
“I really think it’s an interesting idea, and I think it will be fun to talk about and discuss,” said Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin. “As long as it’s smart for the environment and smart for the people, then I think exploring that to enhance people’s commutes is great. I’m interested to see what the report comes back with.”
Southold Police Chief Steve Grattan said exploring ways to potentially ease congestion is a good thing.
During the busy summer season, a lot of routes are planned where drivers only need to make right turns, because left-hand turns are “difficult to deal with,” he said. Even outside the peak season, a trip between the North and South forks could easily take hours.
Surveys are planned within the $218,750 study for residents andsome waterfront workers,including harbormasters and shellfish growers.
But the proposal has already drawn concerns about wake damage, parking and whether it goes far enough.
Southold Police Department Harbormaster Kris Dimon expressed “concern about the size and speed of the ferry, and the potential impacts on shorelines and smaller boats on the water.”
Currently, drivers going from Greenport to Sag Harbor need to take the North Ferry to Shelter Island. They then have to drive across the island to catch the South Ferry to North Haven in Sag Harbor.
Source: The Suffolk Times
