05.28.14

Durbin, Bustos Announce $756,000 Investment For Mississippi River Ferry Boat Terminal in Moline

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced a $756,350 federal investment that will go to the Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District for the construction of a new Channel Cat Passenger Ferryboat Terminal on the Mississippi River in Moline.  The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Discretionary Passenger Ferry Grant Program.

 

“This federal funding will create jobs and make improvements to the ferry terminals, making sure they are safe and accessible for many years to come,” said Senator Durbin.

 

“I’m pleased today to announce this investment in our region’s water transportation capabilities,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.  “The Mississippi River is a vital transportation corridor in our region, and today’s grant will help the Quad Cities meet its infrastructure and transportation needs while also creating jobs and growing the local economy.”

 

Today’s grant will be used to create a new terminal that will expand docking capacity to accommodate the current three vessel Channel Cat fleet and improve safety and access for people with disabilities.

 

Last week, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA) passed both the House and Senate. The bill included an important bipartisan provision introduced by Durbin, Bustos, Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL) that could help speed up repairs and upgrades to the aging locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.  This bill recently passed both the House and Senate and will now head to the President’s desk for signature.