The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced nearly 300 million USD in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand and modernise the nation’s ferry systems.
Each year, 56 million trips are made on ferries in communities across the country, supporting the movement of people and goods.
The funding will support projects in 14 states to advance the development of clean technology and to support local economies.
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said:Ferries serve Americans who depend heavily on this form of transit because of where they live—and the Biden-Harris Administration is making sure people have access to more reliable, cleaner ferry service. These funds will make it easier for Americans to move about their day while also protecting the rivers and waterways they depend on economically.
In total, FTA is awarding 18 grants in projects in 14 states. The funding will support initiatives such as replacing old vessels with electric ships that reduce greenhouse gas pollution and improve air quality.
The grants will also help expand fleets and build new terminals and docks.
Of the 18 projects, eight are receiving federal support for environmentally friendly propulsion technologies, such as electric ferries and charging equipment.
FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said:This historic funding for FTA's Ferry Programs will enhance ways for people to travel by water. We applaud ferry agencies for taking the big step toward electrification, increasing reliability, and bringing their aging ferry systems into a state of good repair.
Selected Fiscal Year 2024 ferry projects include:
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities will receive 106.4 million USD to build a new ferry to replace a 60-year-old vessel. The new ferry, which will feature a diesel-electric propulsion system, will serve rural southwest Alaska, improving service, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and preserving a vital transit lifeline.
The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority will receive 11.5 million USD to build two new electric ferries to support the agency’s emission free ferry service between downtown San Francisco, Treasure Island and Mission Bay. The project will reduce congestion and provide fast, clean, and reliable ferry transit service to growing neighborhoods with limited street access.
The Maine Department of Transportation will receive approximately 16.6 million USD to modernise rural ferry terminals in Lincolnville and Islesboro, in northeast Maine, that were built in 1959. The project will improve safety, and state of good repair, and support the future operation of a new hybrid ferry that will service these two communities.
