Cross Sound Ferry proposes to reconfigure operations in New London
New London — Cross Sound Ferry has applied for a permit to conduct work along the city’s waterfront that includes a reconfiguration of its operations and construction of a new ferry slip to accommodate the future National Coast Guard Museum.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, received a permit for the proposed work and is soliciting comments from the public about it. The public notice with more detailed information is available at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website at bit.ly/csfpn.
Cross Sound Ferry is losing waterfront from an 11,000-square-foot area that plans show will be occupied by the museum on adjacent property behind the train station, New London Union Station at 27 Water St.
Cross Sound Ferry plans to relocate its high-speed ferry slip and floating loading platform and remove an existing ticketing building and restrooms to create room for a new high-speed ferry terminal.
Part of the proposed work by Cross Sound involves relocation of existing dolphin pilings and installation of new pilings and construction of a new 800-square-foot ferry ramp and slip. The plans call for filling in 6,200 cubic yards over 10,000 square feet to allow for construction of a 460-foot bulkhead along the waterfront. The plan envisions dredging about 200 cubic yards of material from a 2,000-square-foot area to be used for fill behind the bulkhead. Dredging will be performed by a barge.
“The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activity on the public interest,” the Army Corps said in its public notice.
Comments received by the Army Corps are used in preparation of an environmental assessment and/or an environmental impact statement, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments also are used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest in the proposed activity.
Public comments on this proposed work should be forwarded no later than Sept. 25. A representative from Cross Sound Ferry was not immediately available to comment on this report.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
