WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced grants totaling nearly $300 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which some call the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to expand and modernize ferry systems nationwide.
Each year, 56 million trips are made on ferries in communities across the country, supporting the movement of people and goods, boosting local economies, and helping to lower costs for families, and providing connections for Americans who, in some cases, have no other alternative travel options.
In total, FTA is awarding 18 grants in projects in 14 states. Federal funding will support projects such as replacing old vessels with electric ships that reduce greenhouse gas pollution and improve air quality, expanding fleets, and building 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’s ferry programs invest in improving ferry service in urban and rural communities by providing federal support to acquire modern, “greener” ferry boats and upgrading equipment to support high-quality, low-emission ferry service.
