State awards $15 million grant to fund new Drummond Island ferry
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI — The state recently awarded a $15 million grant to help fund a new ferry for Drummond Island, located in the lower St. Marys River.
This week, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Infrastructure Office announced $15 million had been awarded to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (EUPTA) for the project.
“These capital investment grants will provide critical funding to our public transit agencies to improve services,” said state transportation director Bradley Wieferich. “It will help enhance and expand the state’s multimodal passenger transportation systems.”
EUPTA will use the $15 million for the construction of a new ferry to serve Drummond Island to accommodate for increased tourism. According to MDOT, tourism in the area has increased in recent years and the ferry will help with that expansion and allow it to grow even more.
The new ferry will not only increase the number of vehicles that can be transported to and from the island but also help transport larger vehicles. An increased demand for transportation of larger vehicles has caused hours-long wait times for tourists and residents alike.
Over 100,000 round-trip vehicle tickets and nearly 200,000 round-trip passenger tickets are purchased each year in DeTour, where passengers line up for the ferry.
The current ferry service travels back and forth hourly and is capable of carrying 36 normal sized cars at a time.
Drummond Island has had nine ferries in its history, and currently has two ferries in service.
The Sault News
National Museum of the Great Lakes Second
Wave Capital Campaign Nears Completion
Toledo, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes is entering a new chapter as its Second Wave expansion project progresses. With the foundation set and structural build underway, the museum is reaching out to the community for a final push of support. Now is your chance to contribute to the future legacy of this historic institution.
The Second Wave expansion will add 5,000 square feet of new space, allowing the museum to showcase traveling Smithsonian exhibits, introduce new permanent exhibits, and create dedicated spaces for community education.
“By supporting this campaign, donors are actively preserving Great Lakes history, fueling ongoing education, revitalizing our neighborhood, and boosting the economic vitality of our region,” said Kate Fineske, Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
Donations can be made online at nmgl.org/thesecondwave or by calling the museum at 419-214-5000. Contributions of all sizes are welcome, and donors will receive exclusive Second Wave thank you gifts as a token of appreciation. Donors contributing more than $500 will also be recognized on our donor wall.
“This is the moment to make a lasting impact on our museum and the communities we serve,” said Sara Smith, the Museum’s Director of Institutional Advancement. As we conclude our public campaign, join in this effort and ensure the National Museum of the Great Lakes remains a beacon of pride and inspiration for generations to come. For more information or to make a donation,
The National Museum of the Great Lakes
Detroit’s Detroit River Cruise tickets now on sale to public
Ticket sales for the annual Marine Historical Society of Detroit’s Detroit River Cruise, scheduled for Saturday, September 7, from 1-4 p.m. aboard the the Diamond Jack River Tours boat DIAMOND QUEEN, are now open to the public.
Passengers will have the opportunity to photograph vessels and historic sites along the Detroit River and enjoy a narration by local history expert Ken Borg. The number of passengers will be limited to 100 so there will be lots of room to move about the boat. Tickets are now on sale at MHSD.org. Or pay by check to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit for $28.50 and mailed to MHSD Cruise,1020 Iroquois, Detroit, MI, 48214. If there are any tickets left the day of sailing, they will be sold at the dock for $30.
Marine Historical Society of Detroit
