The Kitsap Transit board approved an intra-county ferry feasibility study at its April 15 meeting, which would look at potential new ferry routes between Kitsap communities.

The $300,000 study, which is funded by the state Legislature, will review facilities, equipment and funding sources required to begin intra-county ferry service, per a KT news release. Two routes, Silverdale-Bremerton and Winslow-Bremerton, have been identified as possibilities.

KT executive director John Clauson said the study won’t focus on a specific community; rather, it will evaluate route options, cost of new vessels, docking and operating expenses.

“We are excited to look into the future possibilities of ferry operations in Kitsap County,” Clauson said. “This is the first step to determine what is feasible.”

Kitsap County Commissioner Katie Walters said she’s supportive of ferry routes between Kitsap communities.

“For me, to have a ferry from Silverdale to Bremerton is what’s really going to spur development,” Walters said. “I think this is going to be one of the ways we take cars off the road.”

In 2022, KT received public input as part of its long-range transit plan update. 30% of respondents ranked new ferry routes as their first choice. When combined with the top three choices, new ferry routes ranked second overall, with 52% of respondents supporting new routes, per KT.