USDOT announces $665 million investment to modernize ferry infrastructure

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a $665 million investment to modernize ferry infrastructure for the communities who rely on these transit systems to work and move goods. Funding includes:

• $103.5 million under the Passenger Ferry Grant Program to eight projects in six states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• $454 million under the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program to ten projects in four states.
• $107.3 million under the Low or No Emitting Ferry Program to five projects in five states.

From inland waterway dock expansions to brand-new passenger ferries, the Department selected 23 projects in 14 states and the United States Virgin Islands, including:

• $153,406,928 to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities to replace a 50-year-old passenger vessel that connects smaller communities in Southeast Alaska.
• $7,846,269 to Florida’s Jacksonville Transportation Authority to upgrade dock infrastructure for the St. Johns River Ferry that moves pedestrians and cars along Florida’s inland waterways.
• $8,000,000 to the Maine Department of Transportation to modernize aging mainland and island infrastructure and expand docking capacity in Maine’s rural communities.
• $2,027,910 to Louisiana’s Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District to rehabilitate the ferry landings at Belle Chasse and Scarsdale and help commuters travel more seamlessly along the Mississippi River.

“From our populated metro areas to our rural communities, millions of Americans rely on ferry systems to stay connected,” said FTA Acting Deputy Administrator Matthew Cahill. “This investment expands routes and delivers modern ferries to give commuters and families faster, safer, and more reliable options. Under Secretary Duffy, we are fully committed to supporting the inland waterways that keep millions of Americans and our economy moving.”

The Federal Transit Administration’s ferry grant programs help modernize terminal infrastructure, launch new ferry routes, and fund new ferries to connect American families to their jobs and new communities. FTA received 49 eligible project proposals in 16 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, totaling $1.1 billion in requests.

The Passenger Ferry Grant Program makes funding available competitively to assist in the financing of capital projects to support passenger ferry systems in urbanized areas, such as ferry vessels, terminals, and related infrastructure. The Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program provides competitive funding for projects that support the purchase of electric or low-emitting ferries and the electrification of or other reduction of emissions from existing ferries. The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program provides competitive funding to states to ensure basic essential ferry service is provided to rural areas.

Source: USDOT