FHWA Issues $1M to USVI for Ferry Ops

St. Croix Times Staff

Washington, D.C.  - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a total of $175 million in funding under the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Ferry Boat Program (FBP) to 35 states, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The formula funding will improve ferry service and provide more cost-effective travel options for communities across the country that rely on ferries to get to work, promote tourism, and enable commerce. 

The USVI will receive $1,062,796 under the Program, while Puerto Rico will garner $1,191,331. 

“We make life easier when we make the transportation of people and products smoother,” said Secretary Duffy. “In places like Alaska, our maritime highways are critical arteries for commuters and regional supply chains. From our skies to our roads, rail networks, and waterways, America is building again thanks to President Trump.” 

The funding is eligible to construct and operate ferry boats, ferry terminals, and ferry maintenance facilities for both ferry boats carrying cars and passengers and ferry boats carrying passengers only if service is on a public route on which it is not feasible to build a bridge or tunnel. 

The Federal aid highway formula funds are distributed to ferry operators through State Departments of Transportation for the acquisition of ferry boats, capital improvements to existing ferry boat facilities and operational costs of ferry operators. 

In February 2023, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works (DPW) announced it had secured the remaining $1.7 million in grant funding to purchase a new 100 ft ferry for the St. Thomas-St. John route. This topped off the already received $5.1 million grant that will equal the $6.8 million cost of the new ferry vessel.