Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities Questions & Answers

Answer 1: No. MAP-21 Section 1121 amended 23 U.S.C. 147 to provide funding for the construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities by a formula program. The annual authorization will be $67,000,000 for each of FYs 2013 and 2014.

The formula provided by Section 1121 provides for distributing these funds based on the number of passengers carried, the number of vehicles carried and total route miles serviced.

Answer 2: No. While Section 1121 provides a distribution formula, the Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities program is an allocated program. This allows the obligation limitation to be tied specifically to the funds being allocated. This program is treated as an allocated program since the statute identifies the program as being allocated under the formula.

Answer 3: FHWA will use the most recent data contained in the National Census of Ferry Operators maintained by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics under Section 1801(e) SAFETEA-LU. Where the data is insufficient to determine whether the ferry operator or system qualifies as an eligible entity, the FHWA will work to confirm statutory eligibility prior to permitting the obligation of any funds.

Answer 4: FHWA is reviewing with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics the data contained in the National Census of Ferry Operators. This data is available for public access at http://www.bts.gov/programs/ncfo/

Additionally, FHWA is working on an Interim Guidance document which is anticipated to be issued next fiscal year.