The chatham area transit authority is requesting 5337 state of good repair fixed guideway 814704 with the FTA contribution at 80% equal to $651763 and a local match of 20% equal to $162941.the purpose…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded a formula grant of $814,704 (with an 80% federal contribution of $651,763 and 20% local match of $162,941) to the Chatham Area Transit Authority under the State of Good Repair Grants Program (CFDA 20.525) on May 19, 2025. The award will fund preventative maintenance and necessary facility improvements to ferry boat operations and three ferry landing facilities in Savannah, Georgia, including River Street at City Hall, the Waving Girl Landing at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront, and the Savannah International Trade Convention Center on Hutchinson Island, as well as the Hutchison Island Intermodal Facility.

The grant supports critical maintenance activities encompassing routine inspection and servicing of transportation equipment, loading docks, vehicle storage areas, and intermodal connections to ensure reliability and safety while reducing downtime and unexpected repair costs. Facility improvements will address infrastructure enhancements and operational efficiency upgrades across the three ferry landings and intermodal facility. Upon completion by March 30, 2036, the project will establish a comprehensive ferry vessel and facility maintenance program designed to ensure long-term operational efficiency, safety, and capacity to support the region's future transportation needs while contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Activities

With the award funds the following high-level activities will be performed to ensure the ferry boat preventative maintenance and necessary improvements to the hutchison island intermodal facility:1. Preventative maintenance:- routine inspections and repairs: regular inspections of critical infrastructure including loading docks rail lines vehicle storage areas and intermodal connections will be conducted. Preventative repairs will be made as needed to ensure all systems are functioning properly reducing the risk of equipment failure and minimizing downtime.- maintenance of equipment: ongoing maintenance of transportation equipment such as ferries will be performed. This will include servicing moving parts replacing worn components and ensuring the smooth operation of all equipment used to transfer goods and passengers through the facility.2. Infrastructure maintenance:- facility improvements: significant repairs and upgrades to the physical infrastructure of the ferry landings and intermodal facility to enhance the overall functionality of the site.- safety enhancements: improvements will be made to safety systems within the facility including the maintenance of lighting signage and security features such as cameras and fencing. These activities will collectively ensure the long-term functionality and capacity of the ferry landings and hutchison island intermodal facility.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes from the award for preventative maintenance and maintenance to the three ferry landings and to the hutchison island intermodal facility include the following benefits:1. Improved operational efficiency: the preventative maintenance program and infrastructure maintenance will ensure that the ferry and facilities operates smoothly reducing the risk of equipment breakdowns and service disruptions. This will streamline the movement of passengers increasing the overall efficiency of the system.2. Maintenance to safety and security: with maintenance in safety features such as lighting signage and security systems the facility will be safer for both workers and passengers. The reduced risk of accidents and improve the reliability and trust in the facility.3. Reduced downtime and maintenance costs: regular preventative maintenance will help identify and address minor issues before they become major problems. This proactive approach will minimize unscheduled downtime reduce emergency repairs and lower the long-term costs associated with facility and equipment maintenance. In summary the expected outcomes from the award will contribute to a more efficient safe and sustainable ferry operations and intermodal facility supporting the regions transportation infrastructure while enhancing its capacity to meet future demands

Intended beneficiaries

The intended beneficiaries of the preventative maintenance and maintenance at the three ferry landings and to the hutchison island intermodal facility include:1. Commuters and passengers: improved efficiency of the ferry vessels and facilities will directly benefit commuters who rely on the intermodal connections between bus and marine transport.2. Workers and employees: the maintenance and infrastructure upgrades will enhance the working environment for employees operating the ferry vessels and within the intermodal facility. 3. Regional economy: the maintenance to the hutchison island intermodal facility will support broader economic growth in the region. By boosting the efficiency and capacity of the transportation infrastructure the project will facilitate trade increase access to markets and attract new business opportunities to the area benefiting local economies.4. Environmental stakeholders: local communities by improving air quality and minimizing the ecological impact of transportation operations.5. Local government and regulatory bodies: the maintenance to the facility will ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations benefiting local and regional government authorities by reducing the risk of penalties or operational disruptions. In essence the project will provide direct benefits to a wide range of stakeholders including commuters workers local businesses and the surrounding community all while fostering economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Subrecipient activities

None; this award will be directly managed by the transit agency with all activities including procurement infrastructure development workforce training and fleet integration handled internally. No subrecipients are planned for this project.