CARTERET BOROUGH BREAKS GROUND ON MULTIMODAL FERRY TERMINAL, MARKING HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION AND WATERFRONT MILESTONE

The Borough of Carteret officially broke ground on Friday on the Carteret Multimodal Ferry Terminal Building, a transformational infrastructure project more than three decades in the making. Located on a former DuPont brownfield site along the Arthur Kill waterfront, the project will reshape regional transportation, spur economic development, and expand public access to the waterfront.

The $48 million terminal represents a major step forward in Carteret's long-term vision to reintroduce ferry service for the first time since the 1950s and establish a fully integrated, multimodal transportation hub connecting Central New Jersey to New York City and other regional destinations.

Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included Governor Phil Murphy, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Francis K. O'Connor, and Carteret Mayor Ronald L. Reiman. During his remarks, Governor Murphy praised Mayor Reiman as one of the best mayors in the state, "a person who gets things done."

"I am proud to deliver the expansion of ferry service to New York City from Carteret," Governor Murphy said. "From the beginning of my Administration, we have invested in environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure that provides commuters with more options and reduces traffic on our roads. I am grateful to Mayor Reiman and our partners in Carteret for bringing this new transportation hub to life, one that will drive economic growth throughout the region."

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin stressed the long-term vision behind the project. "I've had the privilege of representing the Borough of Carteret for nearly 16 years, and during that time I've seen firsthand how special this community and its leadership truly are," Coughlin said. "The ferry represents an extraordinary opportunity for Carteret but today is really a testament to an unyielding and relentless vision, a vision Mayor Reiman committed to and built strong partnerships around. The State has invested $30 million in this project because we believe in it, and because Mayor Reiman's leadership has helped make Carteret the best it can be."

"This is more than a construction project, it's a generational investment in Carteret's future," said Mayor Reiman. "This terminal represents progress, partnership, and a shared commitment to providing residents with modern transportation options. It stands as a symbol of Carteret's continued transformation from an older industrial town into a revitalized waterfront community and a regional destination for commerce, recreation, and innovation. Much like the Borough's RWJ Health Center, URSB Performing Arts and Events Center, and its growing downtown mixed-use arts district, the ferry terminal represents a generational investment in Carteret's future. The terminal building will house ferry and marina operations while also supporting commercial, retail, entertainment, event, and leasable office space.

Commissioner O'Connor added, "It's just amazing what's going on here in Carteret. I'm proud to be here, and I'm proud of our partners, NJ Transit, the New Jersey Turnpike and the FTA (Federal Transit Administration), along with Congressman (Frank) Pallone. It's just a great joint effort from all levels of government working with the local community and this great Mayor getting this done."

The project is also historic at the state level. Financing includes up to $20 million in short-term loans from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank's Transportation Bank, marking the Transportation Bank's first-ever marine loan.

"This project demonstrates how innovative financing can support modern transportation solutions," Mayor Reiman said. "The Infrastructure Bank recognized the regional value of this ferry terminal and stepped up as a critical partner in making it happen."

The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank is providing interim financing while federal and state grants are reimbursed, ensuring construction remains on schedule.

The Carteret Multimodal Ferry Terminal has been made possible through collaboration among federal, state, regional, and local partners, including the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the Federal Transit Administration, and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Project partners include Potter Architects, CME Engineering, Torcon, Beacon Planning, and Brockwell & Carrington Contractors, led by Michael Dassatti II.

Water-based terminal work, dredging, and bulkheading are complete. Upland improvements are underway, one ferry vessel is currently docked at the marina, and a second vessel is under construction in New Orleans.

"This groundbreaking is about building opportunity, access, and long-term prosperity," Mayor Reiman said. "It reflects what's possible when vision, persistence, labor, and strong partnerships come together."

The Carteret Multimodal Ferry Terminal is expected to become a cornerstone of regional mobility and a lasting symbol of the borough's continued growth and reinvention.