$42M in Grants for Ferry Docks & Facilities

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $42m in grants to improve ferry service and build new docks and facilities in 15 states and Puerto Rico. 

Congress authorized the Federal Highway Administration’s Ferry Boat Program was created to fund ferry boat projects that provide critical access to areas that lack other means of transportation where high passenger demand already exists.  Program funds can be used for capital improvements to existing ferry operations which could increase the number of riders, relieve congestion or address environmental or significant operational concerns. 

The projects include funding for the rehabilitation of the Hoboken ferry terminal in the New Jersey/New York City metropolitan area and the construction of a new ferry terminal in the Oyster Point Marina in south San Francisco.  Both projects have the potential to help reduce congestion on other highways and boost the number of riders.  Washington State also received several grants to improve service in the Seattle area.

FHWA Ferry Boat Discretionary Grants:
State     Project    Grant Amount
New Jersey    Hoboken Terminal Ferry Slip Rehabilitation    $3,000,000
Puerto Rico     Fajardo – Vieques – Culebra public ferry    $3,000,000
California     South San Francisco Ferry Service    $3,000,000
Illinois    New pushboat & barge, Brussels Ferry    $1,760,000
Maine    Bass Harbor Terminal docking facility    $600,000
New York     Replacement Oil Barge #4, Staten Island ferry    $2,400,000
Washington     WSDOT Ferries Division Diesel Engine Retrofits    $2,349,325
Washington    Kitsap Transit additional vessel     $1,400,000
         Total: $17,509,325.00

Ferry Boat Discretionary Grants Designated by Congress:
State    Project    Grant Amount
Alaska    City of Gustavus Public Dock and Floats    $950,000
California    Berkeley/Albany Ferry Service     $475,000
California    Larkspur Ferry Terminal Parking Improvements    $475,000
Florida    Mayport Ferry and Dock Ramp Rehabilitation     $712,500
Florida    Hillsborough County    $475,000
Georgia    Savannah River Ferry System    $475,000
Massachusetts    Long Island Ferry Dock Construction    $950,000
Massachusetts    Oak Bluffs Terminal Reconstruction Project    $1,900,000
Massachusetts    Water Transportation Service Ferry    $950,000
Missouri    Ferry Service for Route 240 Bridge Improvements    $950,000
New York    Glen Cove Ferry and Facilities    $950,000
New York    Ferry Pier Upgrades     $665,000
New York    National Parks of New York Harbor Docks Upgrade    $475,000
New York    Ferry Landing Improvements    $950,000
New York    Ferry Terminal and Transportation Center     $475,000
New York    Newburgh-Beacon Ferry    $1,330,000
North Carolina    North Carolina Statewide Ferry System    $1,900,000
Ohio    Excursion Vessel Project    $475,000
Ohio    Put-In-Bay, Ohio Ferry Terminal     $475,000
Puerto Rico    Passenger Ferry Boat     $2,128,000
Tennessee    Street Landing/Docking Facility    $475,000
Texas    Port Aransas Ferryboat Expansion, Port Aransas    $475,000
Washington    New Ferry Boat Construction    $475,000
Washington    Rich Passage Wake Impact Project, WA    $1,425,000
Washington    Vashon Island Passenger Ferry    $950,000
Washington    Wa. State Ferry System, New Vessel Program    $475,000
Washington    Rich Passage Wake Impact Study    $2,137,500
        Total: $24,548,000