The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $664.8 million for 23 ferry projects across 14 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including vessel replacements, terminal upgrades and operating assistance.The funding was awarded through three Federal Transit Administration programs: the Passenger Ferry Grant Program, Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program and Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program.
By the numbers
$664.8M Total funding awarded
23 Ferry projects funded
14 States receiving awards
3 FTA funding programs
$161.2M Largest individual award
7 Alaska projects funded
The projects are:
Alaska
- $37.6 million to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for the Cascade Point Ferry Terminal Development Project.
- $20.6 million to expand the South Tongass ferry terminal and improve operations.
- $4 million to modernize Alaska Marine Highway System customer service and operations.
- $153.4 million to replace the 50-year-old ferry LeConte with a new dayboat.
- $161.2 million to support sustainable Alaska Marine Highway System operations serving rural communities.
- $33.4 million to modernize the Kake ferry terminal and integrate it with the broader ferry system.
- $304,474 in operating assistance for the Alaska Marine Highway System.
California
- $544,904 to Long Beach Transit to replace five Tier 2 passenger ferry engines with Cummins Tier 3 marine engines.
Connecticut
- $6.4 million to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for a replacement vessel serving the historic Chester-Hadlyme ferry crossing.
Delaware
- $30 million to the Delaware River and Bay Authority for a new diesel-electric hybrid vessel for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The authority awarded a $78.6 million construction contract for the ferry to Senesco Marine, North Kingstown, R.I., earlier this year.
Florida
- $7.8 million to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority for dock infrastructure improvements supporting the St. Johns River Ferry.
- $16.5 million to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority to expand Tampa Bay’s ferry fleet.
Louisiana
- $2 million to the Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District to rehabilitate the Belle Chasse and Scarsdale ferry landings on the Mississippi River.
Maryland
- $10.9 million to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation for accessibility and state-of-good-repair improvements to the Harbor Connector system.
Maine
- $8 million to the Maine Department of Transportation to modernize Maine State Ferry Service terminals and expand docking capacity in rural communities.
North Carolina
- $28.2 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division for critical infrastructure improvements at the Cherry Branch ferry terminal.
New Jersey
- $9.6 million to New Jersey Transit for a vessel serving the Carteret ferry service expansion project.
New York
- $20.8 million to the Fishers Island Ferry District for a replacement ferry.
Rhode Island
- $13.5 million to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for improvements to the Providence ferry terminal.
Virginia
- $68 million to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to replace the Virginia Department of Transportation ferry Surry on the Jamestown-Scotland route.
U.S. Virgin Islands
- $2.5 million to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for a passenger ferry that will expand service between St. Thomas and Water Island.
Washington
- $22.1 million to King County Metro Transit to expand Seattle’s passenger-only ferry facilities.
- $7.3 million in operating assistance for Washington State Ferries’ Anacortes-San Juan Islands and Port Townsend-Coupeville routes.
“From our populated metro areas to our rural communities, millions of Americans rely on ferry systems to stay connected,” FTA acting deputy administrator Matthew Cahill said in a statement. “This investment expands routes and delivers modern ferries to give commuters and families faster, safer, and more reliable options.”
