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    1. Alt. Mobility
    2. Water Transportation

    Nine projects awarded FTA passenger ferry grants

    Aug. 9, 2019
    The projects will improve safety, reliability and enhance mobility of U.S. water transportation.
    Office of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins
    Left to right: Casco Bay Lines General Manager Berg, FTA Acting Administrator Williams, Sen. Susan Collins, Deputy Maritime Administrator Balzano, and Casco Bay Lines Operations Manager Mavodones.
    Left to right: Casco Bay Lines General Manager Berg, FTA Acting Administrator Williams, Sen. Susan Collins, Deputy Maritime Administrator Balzano, and Casco Bay Lines Operations Manager Mavodones.

    The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $32.8 million through the Passenger Ferry Grant Program to nine projects that FTA says will improve the safety and reliability of U.S. passenger ferries and enhance mobility for ferry users.  

    "These federal grants invest in marine infrastructure to improve mobility and enhance safety for passenger ferry services across our nation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

    While congressional offices had been notified earlier of the grant awards, the official announcement took place at Casco Bay Island Transit in Portland, Maine, which was awarded a $3.4 million grant to support Phase III of Casco Bay Lines’ project to renovate its terminal infrastructure to enhance safety and efficiency. The event included FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams, Deputy Maritime Administrator Dick Balzano, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner Bruce Van Note and Casco Bay Lines General Manager Hank Berg. ¬

    "America’s waterways are a priceless asset, and the Passenger Ferry Grant Program partners with local communities to leverage those assets to improve mobility for millions of Americans," said FTA Acting Administrator Williams.

    “Maine’s ferry services are critical components of our state’s transportation system, connecting our beautiful islands to the mainland,” said Sen. Collins.

    In addition to Casco Bay Island Transit’s $3.4 million grant, other projects selected for this round of grants include:

    • $5.9 million to Washington State Department of Transportation, Ferries Division, to construct a pedestrian connector between the Seattle Multimodal Terminal and downtown Seattle.
    • $5.9 million to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to upgrade passenger ferry slips at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J.
    • $5.9 million to Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District to acquire a new passenger ferry vessel.
    • $3.9 million to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to upgrade the St. Johns River Ferry.
    • $2.7 million to MTA New York Metro-North Railroad to design and construct a new floating dock to replace an older dock.
    • $2.5 million to Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority to construct a new terminal building.
    • $1.28 million to Chatham Area Transit Authority to acquire a new passenger ferry vessel.
    • $1.2 million to Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District construct a new ferry terminal at the Village of East Davenport.

    FTA Passenger Ferry Grant Program funds projects to purchase, replace or rehabilitate passenger ferries, terminals and related infrastructure and equipment. FTA issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the grant program in February 2019. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act authorizes FTA’s competitive Passenger Ferry Grant Program through FY2020.

    About the Author

    Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

    Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

    Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

    She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

    She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.

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