(Hartford, CT)—Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced $503,250 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) through the Marine Highway Grant program to fund infrastructure improvements for the Cross Sound Ferry in New London.

“This grant will fund much-needed infrastructure improvements to the Cross Sound Ferry—moving people and goods that drive local economies and create jobs,” said Blumenthal and Murphy. “We’ll continue to support investments in Connecticut’s infrastructure to help grow our economy and make our state a great place to live, work, and visit.”

“This project is a key part of Connecticut’s overall maritime strategy to improve transportation opportunities involving ferry service,” said Scott Bates, chairman of the Connecticut Port Authority. “We are gratified that Senator Blumenthal and other members of the state’s congressional delegation are working in synch with us at the state level to maximize the transportation, economic development and job growth opportunities presented by a robust maritime sector.”

“We are extremely thankful to the Secretary, Administrator and the Maritime Administration for being considered for this grant award and to have Cross Sound’s service recognized as a vital corridor in the Marine Highway network. As we transport more vehicles and passengers, projects such as this to improve the flow of commerce at our terminal are important. This grant will provide a tremendous assist in seeing this project come to fruition,” said Cross Sound Ferry president John P. Wronowski.

The grant will fund several infrastructure improvements, including installing a new ferry ramp to improve the flow of vehicular and passenger traffic at the Cross Sound Ferry terminal and maintain and improve operational safety, new bulk heading and mooring dolphins to assist the ferries in docking, a restoration of the existing high-speed ferry slip, and maintenance dredging.

The funding request was a collaboration between the Cross Sound Ferry, the Connecticut Port Authority, and the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments. 

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