The Port of Redwood City has released a draft environmental impact report for a proposed ferry terminal that would connect the city with San Francisco and Oakland.
The report, released Sept. 17, covers the terminal and potential development of a surrounding 9.2-acre waterfront site. It is open for public comment through Nov. 2.
Under the proposal, ferries carrying up to 320 passengers would make the trip from Redwood City to San Francisco in about 61 minutes and to Oakland in about 71 minutes. San Francisco Bay Ferry, operated by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, is expected to provide scheduled service.
“Reaching this milestone is the result of years of vision, persistence and partnership,” said Nancy Radcliffe, incoming chair of the Board of Port Commissioners. “The Draft EIR moves us one important step closer to creating a ferry connection that would expand transportation choices, strengthen regional emergency preparedness and open the waterfront to new opportunities for the entire community.”
Plans for the terminal area include an extension of the Bay Trail, a separate bicycle trail, pedestrian connections, restrooms and bicycle storage. The draft report also considers future hotel, restaurant, retail and event uses at the site. The port estimates those uses could support about 400 jobs.
The port said the ferry terminal could serve a role in disaster response. The port is a Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated federal staging area for the South San Francisco Bay region. If roads, bridges or airports become inaccessible, ferries could carry first responders and supplies and help evacuate residents.
The project is eligible for up to $15 million from San Mateo County’s Measure A transportation sales tax and would require local matching funds.
The draft report was prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act to assess potential environmental effects and measures to reduce them. The port will hold a public meeting on the report Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at its office at 675 Seaport Blvd. Written comments are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 2.
