Study Overview

The Pelee Island Transportation Needs Study is being undertaken to develop a sustainable transportation plan for the island. The study includes ferry and air travel between Pelee Island, mainland Ontario and mainland Ohio. 

The development of a short-term and long-term plan for transportation services to Pelee Island will include four phases of work as shown in the following exhibit:

The study is scheduled for completion in spring 2011. 

Public consultation is important to the study and will be a component of each project phase.

We will address all alternatives that support a sustainable transportation system for Pelee Island.  The range of possible solutions to the identified problems includes:

• Ferry System Management:
• Improve ferry operating schedule
• Improve ferry reservations/cancellations systems
• Simplify schedule presentation
• Provide back-up ferry service in shoulder season and off-season
• Other administrative improvements
• On-Island transportation and mainland transit connections:
• Provide tourist-friendly on-Island passenger service
• Explore possibility of improved municipal bus connections at mainland Ontario ports
• Ferry port/dock facilities:
• Modify port locations
• Improve port design/performance
• Ferry vessels:
• Improve Jiimaan design/performance
• Replace Jiimann
• Carry out improvements to extend Pelee Island service life
• Replace Pelee Islander
• Air services:
• Extend on-mainland time for Pelee resident day-trippers
• Increase flexibility for cargo
• Replace winter service with hydro-plane service
• Combinations of the above and other alternatives.

Work will be documented in a number of Working Papers at key milestones, and will conclude with a Transportation Needs Study Report, incorporating key elements of these Working Papers and expanding upon them.  The Report will provide a long-term strategy for transportation services provided by the Ministry of Transportation between Pelee Island and mainland Ontario.

Note that this study is being undertaken as a planning/needs study, not as an individual or Class Environmental Assessment (EA).  Although the needs identified by this study may subsequently be subject to an EA, this study is not being conducted under the provisions of the Environmental Assessment Act.

To obtain additional information, provide initial comments, or to be placed on the study mailing list please contact the Project Team.