The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $665 million in funding to modernize ferry infrastructure. From inland waterway dock expansions to brand-new passenger ferries, the department selected 23 projects in 14 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including:

• $153.4 million to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to replace a 50-year-old passenger vessel that connects smaller communities in Southeast Alaska.
• $7.8 million to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to upgrade dock infrastructure for the St. Johns River Ferry that moves pedestrians and cars along Florida’s inland waterways.
• $8 million to the Maine Department of Transportation to modernize aging mainland and island infrastructure and expand docking capacity in Maine’s rural communities.
• $2 million to Louisiana’s Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District to rehabilitate the ferry landings at Belle Chasse and Scarsdale and help commuters travel more seamlessly along the Mississippi River.

“From our populated metro areas to our rural communities, millions of Americans rely on ferry systems to stay connected,” said Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Deputy Administrator Matthew Cahill. “This investment expands routes and delivers modern ferries to give commuters and families faster, safer and more reliable options. Under [USDOT] Secretary [Sean] Duffy, we are fully committed to supporting the inland waterways that keep millions of Americans and our economy moving.”

The FTA noted that it received 49 eligible project proposals in 16 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, totaling $1.1 billion in requests, from the notice of funding opportunity it released in April.