By: Najla Alexander
Carteret officials announced that the Borough has received a $5 million grant for the intermodal ferry terminal project from the NJ Department of Community Affairs.
The Honorable Mayor Daniel J. Reiman said the ARP/SLFRF funds will be used for improvements along the Carteret waterfront, including the construction of the Carteret Intermodal Transportation Building.
“This is truly an exciting time for Carteret,” Mayor Reiman said.
“We’re very grateful to Gov. Phil Murphy for his help in transforming our waterfront into a future transportation hub and destination.”
Regarding the Carteret ferry project, Gov. Murphy previously said, “The state is proud to make this smart investment in mass transit that will benefit existing and new Carteret residents. Funding our transportation infrastructure has been and will continue to be a priority for our administration.”
Officials said the Reiman administration has secured more than $60 million in federal and state grants, including several competitive funds, such as a 2022 FTA grant and a 2023 Congressional appropriation.
The Carteret Intermodal Transportation Building will provide access to several forms of alternative transportation, Mayor Reiman said.
Carteret Ferry Service will transport commuters to and from the World Financial Center Pier and the Midtown Terminal located at 39th Street, officials stated, and a Borough jitney service, NJ Transit bus service, and bicycling will also be available.
“The new ferry terminal not only will facilitate a new affordable public transportation service but will also support the continued post-COVID economic recovery of the Borough of Carteret by spurring economic activity,” the Mayor said.
The Intermodal Building, which also features restaurants, retail, office space, and more, is part of a larger multi-year, $1.5 billion plan to transform Carteret's waterfront, officials say.
According to officials, the overall vision for the site includes miles of open public access waterfront along the Arthur Kill, the construction of two commercial docks along with infrastructure to support them, the construction of a 1.2 million-square-foot film production studio, 150,000 square feet of ancillary retail and hotel space, and the completed construction of a $47 million marina next door to the project site and dredging for commercial port activities.