Washington ferries get $42.4 million boost from bipartisan infrastructure law

August 12, 2022 1:30 am
ferries
ferries

Submitted by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell’s office.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell announced that Washington ferries will receive $42,442,646 in Fiscal Year 2022 formula funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. The funding was secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will provide $912 million in formula funding over five years through the FHWA’s Ferry Boat Program, an increase of 128% from amounts authorized in the FAST Act of 2015.

“This $42.4 million from the Infrastructure Law will help Washington state maintain our world-class ferry fleet,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Over 17 million Washingtonians depend on timely and reliable ferry service annually. This funding will ensure that Washington residents and visitors will be able to stay connected to their families, their jobs, and the greater Puget Sound.”

Of the $42.4 million allocated to Washington state, Washington State Ferries will receive $38.3 million for vessel preservation and terminal improvements. The remaining $4.1 million will be allocated to the agencies listed in the table below. This an increase of over $20 million from what Washington state received in Fiscal Year 2021.

Washington state is home to the largest ferry system in the U.S. Last year, Washington State Ferries transported over 17 million passengers, and for the second time ever carried more vehicles with a driver (8.9 million) than passengers (8.4 million).

The Department of Transportation allocated a total of $172.2 million in Fiscal Year 2022 funding across 35 states and three territories. Washington state received the largest amount of Fiscal Year 2022 funding.

Funding from the FHWA’s Ferry Boat Program can be used for ferry maintenance facilities and capital improvements to existing ferry operations, in order to increase the number of riders, relieve congestion, or address environmental or significant operational concerns. Funding can also be used to purchase buses and shuttles used exclusively to transport passengers to or from a ferry trip.