Carteret to receive $6M from DOT to build passenger ferry terminal

Carteret will receive $6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to build a passenger ferry terminal as part of the city’s efforts to run a ferry from central New Jersey to Downtown Manhattan.

“This is great news for New Jersey residents and tourists who commute to Downtown Manhattan. This funding will help improve efficient and reliable transportation options and help reduce vehicle traffic,” U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.) said in the Tuesday announcement.

“The new passenger terminal will also foster economic development in Carteret. I’ll continue to work hand-in-hand with Mayor Dan Reiman to fight for the funding needed to fully complete this project.” Pallone added.

When completed, the Carteret Intermodal Transportation Center will feature a three-story ferry terminal and will be equipped with a waiting area, restrooms, food court/snack bar, operations center, meeting space and a public rooftop observation deck. The center is planned to be adjacent to other public facilities and open space on the borough’s waterfront.

In January, Reiman announced that Carteret awarded a contract from public bid with NY Waterway to purchase a 149-passenger ferry boat for $2.25 million, the first ferry for Carteret.

“The ferry terminal building is an important next step in our efforts to provide environmentally friendly transportation service for commuters within Carteret and throughout central New Jersey,” said Reiman. “We are grateful to our federal partners who continue to recognize the importance of the Carteret ferry project. In particular, the efforts of Congressman Pallone were instrumental in the passage of the infrastructure bill.”

The funding will be distributed through the DOT Passenger Ferry Grant Program, which funds capital projects that help eligible project sponsors support existing passenger ferry service, establish new ferry service and upgrade ferry boats, terminals and related facilities and equipment.

Funding for the ferry was provided by a $1 million grant from New Jersey Transit, as promised in the New Jersey Fiscal Year 2022 budget, and an additional $1.25 million grant from the Port Authority Capital Fund.

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