Murkowski-Championed Program to Aid Rural Ferry Service and Ferry Electrification

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced the Federal Transit Administration is making $300 million available for ferries. This landmark funding, which will support ferry service and fast-track electrified ferry transportation, was made possible by H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Senator Murkowski played a lead role in writing and negotiating. 

Today’s announcement features funding availabilities for three grant programs, including the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, which Senator Murkowski wrote and stewarded into law.

“I grew up in coastal communities that rely on the Alaska Marine Highway System so I’ve always recognized how critical Alaska’s ferry system is to our state. As we wrote this new law to prioritize infrastructure improvements, I put our ferry system right at the top of the list for needs that had to be addressed in Alaska. And then I worked diligently to ensure my colleagues understood the Alaska Marine Highway System is just that – a highway – and not just a mode of transportation, but a lifeline for coastal communities,” said Senator Murkowski. “Thanks to our bipartisan infrastructure law, $300 million is now available to support rural ferry systems and build out electric ferries. It’s hard to overstate how important this is for Alaska. This provides a crucial window for the state to modernize our ferry system, and it is a sea change for future generations of cleaner, lower-emission ferries.”

The three grant programs included in today’s announcement are:

The FTA’s Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, Senator Murkowski’s new program to provide competitive funding to states which will allow for basic essential ferry service in rural areas. 

The FTA’s Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program, a new program that provides competitive funding for low-emitting or electric ferries and related infrastructure needs.

The FTA’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program, which funds projects to support existing passenger ferry service, create new ferry service, and upgrade and repair ferry boats, terminals, and associated equipment and facilities.

Finalized proposals must be submitted electronically by September 6, 2022 through www.grants.gov using the “APPLY”?function.

Related Issues: Infrastructure

Original source can be found here.