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