The Tampa Bay Institute of Engineers has named the Cross Bay Ferry its Project of the Year.
- Cross Bay Ferry won Project of the Year
- Award given by Tampa Bay Institute of Engineers
- Ferry is Florida's best performing transit project this year
Institute President, Danni Jorgenson, says the award recognizes projects with applied innovative techniques and successful implementation.
"Past recipients of this awards include The Courtney Campbell Trail, Manatee County ATMS project, and the City of St. Petersburg Citywide Crash Analysis and Traffic Safety Cameras."
The Cross Bay Ferry is a pilot project, operating between downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa on a limited schedule.
It began operation in November and will complete at the end of March.
The award was well-received from the City of St. Petersburg, according to Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin.
"Transportation is one of our region's highest issues, highest priorities," she said. "And this has just really been a model project for the way that we can work together to really advance our community to its highest potential."
Unlike current public transportation like HART or PSTA, which recoup about 20 to 25 percent of their total operating costs, the Cross Bay Ferry is recovering between 40 and 50 percent. In its short life, it is the best performing transit project in the State of Florida.
Once the project completes, Planners will look at the data and make a determination if continued use of the Tampa Bay Waterways is in the best interest for those who commute between the two cities.