Federal Highway Administration Disburses $175 Million in Grants for Ferry Boat Program
In a move to enhance mobility and fill transportation gaps, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Ferry Boat Program (FBP) has announced a significant funding distribution for ferry services across the United States.
The program, designed to support the construction and operation of ferry boats, terminals, and maintenance facilities, has allocated funds to various transit agencies. Among the recipients are New York City Ferry, which received $4.1 million, and Long Beach Transit, which secured a substantial $47.7 million.
The funding details for these transit agencies can be found on the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) website.
The FBP focuses on areas with high passenger demand and those without other transport means. To be eligible, the ferry service must operate on a public route without feasible alternatives such as a bridge or tunnel.
Grants from the program can fund the acquisition of ferry boats, capital improvements to existing facilities, operational costs of ferry operators, and, under certain conditions, the design and construction of new terminals and acquisition of right-of-way.
The funds are distributed to ferry operators through State Departments of Transportation. The purpose of the program is to improve mobility, increase ridership on ferry services, relieve congestion on adjacent highways, support commerce, promote tourism, and facilitate critical access to communities reliant on ferry transportation.
In the latest funding round (2025), a total of $175 million was awarded to 35 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Other recipients include the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Ferry Division, which received $3.6 million, and the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, which secured $1.4 million.
These funds will undoubtedly contribute to the improvement and expansion of ferry-based transportation infrastructure and services, making travel more accessible and efficient for millions of Americans. For more information, please visit the USDOT's website.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, the acquisition of advanced technological skills in the field of supply chain management could potentially lead to notable careers in transportation sectors, such as the ferry industry, that benefit from FBP funding.
- Congestion on adjacent highways, posing a significant challenge for general news and sports events, might be eased by improved mobility resulting from the FBP's enhancement of ferry services across the United States.
- As the weather plays a crucial role in ferry operations, it is essential for ferry operators to monitor weather conditions closely, ensuring safe and reliable services for passengers.
- In the broader context of finance, responsible budgeting and efficient allocation of resources within the casino-and-gambling sector can enable prosperous industries to contribute towards initiatives like the FBP, bolstering its efforts to enrich transportation infrastructure.
