Some Cloverdale residents are once again floating the idea of a ferry to make it easier to cross the North Saskatchewan River.

With the Cloverdale footbridge set to close this July to make way for construction of the Valley Line LRT, Paul Bunner says crossing the river will be cumbersome.

"I think we all know, the future of transportation in the river valley is going to involve river taxis of some kind, as they exist in many other cities," says Bunner, co-chair of the Cloverdale Community League's LRT liaison committee. "So this is a way to dip a toe in the water, so to speak, with a pilot project."

When the footbridge closes, commuters will be forced to take a detour to the Low Level Bridge, nearly a kilometre away. And the closure of the stairs at the Hotel Macdonald will make the route even less accessible.

The bridge is expected to remain closed for three years to accommodate construction.

Rafter's Landing

"It will make it much more difficult for commuters who live in the south-side neighbourhoods and commute to the downtown on the bridge every day," says Bunner.

"The detour strategy is not really practical, which is all the more reason to look at this ferry idea."

Bunner says a small flat-deck ferry, outfitted to carry 15 passengers, would be a cheap and convenient way to calm commuter concerns during construction.

The proposed ferryboat would cross from Rafter's Landing to the summer dock on the north bank below the Convention Centre.

The proposed ferry line would run from Rafter's Landing on the south shore of the North Saskatchewan to the north bank below the Convention Centre. (Google Maps)

"We all know the Edmonton Queen's days appear to be numbered," Bunner says. "Rafter's Landing could be restored as a great place for kayakers and rafters to use.

"I think the demand will be there for on-water transportation in the future."

The committee has been pitching the plan to city council for years, but hopes it gets some traction this time around.

With the winning bid for the operating and design budget of the Valley Line coming in $500 million under budget, Bunner is optimistic the idea will set sail soon.

"That's more than enough money to run a cheap, simple ferry for two or three years," says Bunner. "I think we can probably figure out how to do this in Edmonton."