The casco BAY island transit district (CBITD) requests $16573469 in funding from the following sources:- $3600000 in FFY2021 5307 discretionary passenger ferry grant program funds- $88101 FFY2021 5307…

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Casco Bay Island Transit District $19.498 million on August 21, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to design, construct, and oversee a new passenger ferry vessel serving the islands of Casco Bay, Maine.

The funded activities comprise an RFP for vessel construction, the construction itself, construction inspection, and construction oversight. The new vessel will replace the Maquoit II, which has exceeded its useful life, and will transport passengers, freight, and vehicles between the Portland terminal and down-bay islands, compatible with existing wharfs at both locations. The vessel will comply with the Clean Air Act and proposed ADA guidelines for passenger vessels, with a planned 30-year useful life in accordance with the Casco Bay Island Transit District's Transit Asset Management Plan dated December 2022.

The award combines $3.6 million in FFY2021 Section 5307 Discretionary Passenger Ferry Grant Program funds, $88,101 in FFY2021 Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula funds apportioned to the Portland urbanized area, and $12.885 million in FFY2022–2025 Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula funds. The Casco Bay Island Transit District is providing a local match of $2.924 million from non-farebox revenue and local and state funds.

Work commences May 1, 2025, and concludes December 30, 2027, with an ultimate completion date of June 30, 2028. Performance occurs in Maine. The vessel design is being performed under a separate grant, ME-2023-034.

Activities

The grant funds will be used to build a new vessel to do what the maquoit II ferry currently does servicing the down BAY islands in casco BAY portland maine. The maquoit II is beyond its useful life and needs to be replaced in accordance with casco BAY island transit districts transit asset management plan (TAM) dated december 2022. The design of the new vessel is being completed as part of grant me-2023-034. The tasks included in this grant application are:- RFP for vessel construction- vessel construction- vessel construction inspection- vessel construction oversight

Expected outcomes

Cbitds service to the down BAY islands of casco BAY portland maine is the lifeline for these island communities. The vessel will transport passenger freight and vehicles and will be compatible with existing wharfs at the portland terminal and down BAY islands. The useful life is planned for 30 years in accordance with cbitds TAM. The vessel will be compliant with the clean air act and with the proposed passenger vessel ADA guidelines.funding will significantly improve the safe movement of passengers freight and vehicle around the portland maine terminal accommodating the continued growth of overall traffic.

Intended beneficiaries

Cbitd passengers including island residents commuters contractors and school children will benefit from the continuing services of cbitds passenger ferries.