DOT awards $123.5 million for ferry projects

JUNE 3, 2014 — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) yesterday announced the award and distribution of approximately $123.5 million for passenger ferry projects and ferry operators throughout the United States and selected territories. The funds will support existing ferry service on many of the nation’s waterways, establish new ferry service where it is needed most, and help to repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities.

Projects eligible for FHWA’s FY 2014 Ferry Boat Program must be at least 50 percent publicly owned or operated and publicly regulated—a measure adopted to ensure that public funds are not used for private commercial ferry operations. Eligible operators and terminals are identified in the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ National Census of Ferry Operators.

The DOT’s ferry funds are administered separately through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Passenger Ferry Grant Program, which is providing $60 million in competitive funds for 26 projects in 13 states and Puerto Rico; and the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Ferry Boat Formula Program, which is providing $63.5 million to 114 operators in 37 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Through FTA’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program, competitively awarded FY2013 and FY2014 funds will help existing ferry systems, such as the Corpus Christi Harbor Ferry, in Texas, to refurbish two dock landing areas for the ferry service to better ensure safe and reliable service for passengers. The funds also support new ferry service, such as Virginia’s new commuter ferry from Jones Point Park in Alexandria to the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling military installation in Southeast Washington, D.C.; and allows for the rehabilitation of the Cross Sound Ferry Service Terminal on Long Island that serves 1.1 million passengers each year between Orient Point, New York and New London, Connecticut.

You can see the complete list of grant recipients HERE