South Amboy officials are hopeful construction on the ferry terminal building and parking lot will start in the spring, which is the final phase of the long-awaited commuter ferry service. Business Administrator Camille Tooker said at a City Council meeting on Oct. 21 that face-to-face meetings with state officials in Trenton have proven beneficial to moving the ferry project forward.
“We have seen more progress in these four months than the last four years,” she said, adding that state officials have been cooperative.
Tooker said the city received over $21 million from the federal government to bring back the ferry service, which previously ran from 2001 to 2006.
“The state DOT [Department of Transportation] holds the funds,” she said.
The ferry project was split into eight phases.
“Four phases are complete, but it has been almost three years without movement on the project,” said Tooker.
Officials have pointed to lags in the DOT approvals and the down economy as reasons for the delay.
The first phases included building a new pedestrian bridge to the parking lot and marina.
This winter, Tooker said city officials would be seeking bids for environmental remediation in the parking lot area and the design of the parking lot.
Once the environmental remediation is complete, the city will issue a request for construction bids for the parking lot and ferry terminal building.
City Engineer Mark J. Rasimowicz said city officials are hoping to start construction of the parking lot in the spring.
Mayor Fred Henry said the ferry service is a critical and vital piece to the future of the city of South Amboy.
Officials have said the ferry would take commuters from South Amboy to Manhattan’s Wall Street area in 42 minutes.