Ferry company is in talks to link the Windsor/Detroit border by boat

“Commuters are a big piece of it,” he said. “That would be critical to the success. Downtown Detroit hospitals shuttling to the ferry creates a regular schedule so they know when people will get to work as opposed to the bridge and tunnel (where wait times are unpredictable). I believe they see this as a real benefit.”

Just over a month ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation committed $7 million in federal stimulus money to Detroit to build a shoreline passenger terminal and offshore wharf which is under construction. Work on the location between Hart Plaza and the Renaissance Center is expected to be completed by next spring.

The funding announcement was done with an eye toward supporting passenger ferry service. U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D — Mich) told the Detroit Free Press the grant will enhance transportation and tourism along the Detroit River that will “hopefully provide a much-needed economic boost to the region.”