(rshsdepot) Hoboken Terminal, NJ

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Copied below is a news release that just came out from US DOT.  While it
notes funding awarded for ferry facilities in NJ and NY, of particular
interest to this group is the $19 million to NJ Transit for restoration of
the ferry terminal in Hoboken.

Bernie Wagenblast



Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $54M in 9/11 Funding for Ferry
Facilities in New York and New Jersey

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced that the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will provide approximately $54.8
million for ferry-related projects in the New York City-Northern New Jersey
metropolitan area to support the expansion of interstate ferry services due
to the loss of Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train service between New
Jersey and Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001.

This funding for ferry-related projects supplements $100 million that was
previously approved by FTA and distributed to the region for emergency
transit capital improvements, and is a part of President Bush's $20 billion
commitment to rebuild and revitalize Lower Manhattan.

"Under President Bush's leadership, this administration has made its
commitment to the New York metropolitan area abundantly clear.  The delivery
of this vital funding continues the recovery effort and ensures that the
resurgence of the New York metropolitan area continues to progress quickly
and effectively," said Mineta.  "Today we are providing $54.8 million
dollars in funding to support the much needed expansion of interstate ferry
services."
"As a result of September 11th, transit service was severely impacted,
disrupting the daily commute of thousands of people who lived, worked and
visited one of the largest employment and financial centers in the world.
The economic impact was enormous," stated FTA Administrator Jennifer L.
Dorn. "This funding will expand and improve ferry service and go a long way
towards restoring the quality of life for all residents and commuters."

The FTA will administer approximately $32.8 million in funding for the
following projects:

- -         $19 million to New Jersey Transit toward the restoration of the
historic Hoboken, New Jersey Intermodal Ferry Terminal.  An interim pier
currently serves over 24,000 daily ferry passengers;

- -         $2.4 million to New Jersey Department of Transportation for
reconstructing the Sussex St. Pier, at Exchange Place in Jersey City, New
Jersey.  A nearby interim pier currently serves approximately 10,000 daily
ferry passengers;

- -         $11.4 million to the New York City Department of Transportation
and Economic Development Corporation toward the funding of a new West
Midtown Intermodal Ferry Terminal at West 38th Street in Manhattan.  The
existing facility, which currently serves approximately 17,000 daily ferry
passengers, will be replaced.

The Federal Highway Administration will administer approximately $22 million
to assist in the financing of the following projects:

- -         $19 million for replacing the Port Imperial Intermodal Ferry
Terminal in Weehawken (NJ), currently serving over 11,000 daily ferry
passengers;
- -         $3 million for the South Amboy (NJ) Intermodal Ferry Terminal.  A
permanent terminal will replace a temporary facility erected shortly after
9/11 that currently serves approximately 600 daily ferry passengers.

These projects will utilize a portion of the $100 million appropriated to
the DOT in the Emergency Supplemental Act of 2002.  FTA has been working
closely with a bi-state, interagency task force, including the major
regional agencies involved in ferry services, to identify and prioritize the
funding decisions.  The complexity of these projects required substantial
coordination with the sponsoring agencies to finalize local decision-making
and to ensure effective environmental stewardship.  FTA will continue to
work with the task force to distribute the remaining $45.2 million in
funding for ferry-related projects.


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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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