A new ferry may travel the river between Vancouver and Portland

(NOVEMBER 28, 2018) Will there soon be a ferry between downtown Portland and Vancouver? Local governments and other organizations are studying the project. A water ferry could help with bad traffic. But getting under all of the bridges on the Willamette River could be a big challenge.

The project is called "Frog Ferry". The ferry would be a boat for 150 people and bicycles, but no cars. The boat would have coffee in the morning and beer in the evening. It could travel between Portland and Vancouver in about 38 minutes -- probably less, says founder Susan Bladholm.

According to the Frog Ferry website: "It’s time for Portland to re-examine the option of its waterways to provide an alternate mode of transportation. Using our cities waterways would create an alternative method of transportation. It would provide a pleasing commuter and visitor travel option and increase the livability of our Portland and Vancouver neighborhoods."

The problem is the Steel Bridge. It is low. Only a small single-deck boat can travel underneath the bridge without having to open it. If the bridge opens, it stops both traffic for cars, trains, people and bikes. That's a problem because the boat is supposed help solve traffic problems -- not create them.

Many people are interested. It will save them time when they go to work, they say. However, it is not clear if there are enough people to buy tickets to pay for the service.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler wants to study the problem to find a solution. One idea is a new kind of boat designed to fit under the bridge without opening the bridge. He says the city can help pay for the research, which is called a feasibility study. To study "feasibility" is to study if something is possible or not.