Federal grant gives boost to St. Johns River Ferry upgrades

Jacksonville, FL — The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s effort to upgrade the St. Johns River Ferry has received a significant boost in the form of a federal grant totaling nearly $4 million.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration has awarded JTA a Passenger Ferry Grant to fund the next phase of upgrades to the Ferry, which is in dry dock due to needed repairs.

WOKV first reported on July 25th that the Ferry was taken out of service "as a precaution", and JTA later determined repairs were needed to the propeller.

JTA says the $3.9 million grant will account for roughly 70% of the estimated $5.6 million project cost to upgrade the Ferry system.  That work is set to begin next spring. JTA took over operation of the Ferry in 2016.