Contact: Lori Hamamoto/Peter Boylan 202-224-3934
MAUI AWARDED $6.2 MILLION GRANT FOR MA’ALAEA FERRY PROJECT
September 25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON – The efforts to expand the Ma’alaea ferry port on Maui will receive $6.2 million in federal grant money, Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced today.
The County of Maui has been awarded $6,292,440 for the Ma’alaea ferry project through a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Currently ferry service is available from Maui to Lanai and the refurbishment of the dock at Ma’alaea Harbor will create a second port and increase overall ferry system capacity.
“A second ferry port will allow Maui residents and visitors greater access to the recreational and economic opportunities of each island,” said Senator Inouye. “An increase in passenger capacity is exactly what businesses on both islands need during these tough times.”
Through the funding that DOT has awarded, improvements to the Ma’alaea Small Boat Harbor can be made so that it can be included as a second ferry port. Improvements will include rehabilitating the existing loading dock, installing electrical and telephone utilities, street lights, water mains, fire hydrants and parking.
The existing terminal building, loading dock, vehicle parking and drop-off areas are in disrepair and inadequate to accommodate the proposed ferry service expansion.
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