Bill to allow for Bridgeport ferry expansion headed to Biden’s desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would allow the owner of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry to expand its terminal and add a fourth boat. The legislation is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, who represents Connecticut’s fourth district, was one of the representatives to pass the bill. It included his request to deauthorize part of the federal navigation channel in Bridgeport Harbor, clearing the way for construction of a new ferry terminal that will facilitate increased marine activity and improve maritime passenger and vessel safety.

“I’d like to thank the Connecticut Port Authority, Bridgeport Port Authority, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for their collaboration in securing this project for Bridgeport,” Himes said. “This proposal makes it possible to build a new ferry terminal at Barnum Landing which will allow for safer, expanded service between Bridgeport and Port Jefferson, New York. Expanding transportation options for people is always a win and I’m glad to have been a part of it.”

Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC) commended the U.S. Senate for approving the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), legislation to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of the nation’s water resources infrastructure.

The measure was previously approved by the House on Dec. 10, by a vote of 399-18.

“Getting this legislation signed into law means that Congress has maintained the schedule of regularly passing WRDA improvements and reforms every two years,” Chairman Graves said. “WRDA 2024 makes much needed reforms at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to streamline processes, reduce cumbersome red tape, and get projects done faster.

“The bill also provides critical water resource infrastructure improvements for communities across America – from ports to levees to navigation channels, and more.”

WRDA authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to undertake infrastructure and water resources projects to protect communities from flooding that have been awaiting federal permission.

Congress has passed WRDA legislation on a bipartisan and biennial basis since 2014.  WRDA 2024 maintains the regular consideration of this important infrastructure legislation, and it provides Congress the opportunity for input into the projects undertaken by the Corps.

The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry has been in operation for over 130 years and provides ferry service across the Long Island Sound from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Port Jefferson, New York.