Kaptur Announces $10.37 Million Award to Enhance Ferry Infrastructure for Put-in-Bay and Lake Erie Islands

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, announced the award of $10,371,073 from the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to the Put-in-Bay Township Port Authority. Awarded through the FY24 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), the funds will assist with the construction of a 406-foot stone breakwater to bolster the safety and resiliency of the main ferry terminal serving South Bass Island, a vital hub for tourism, local residents, and businesses in Northwest Ohio.

This investment will support Phase I of the “Breakwater for Main Ferry Terminal” project, providing critical infrastructure to protect the ferry dock from adverse weather conditions and rising lake levels. The project will also create a designated maintenance berth, allowing for secure mooring of ferries during repairs and serving as an alternate loading area for passengers, vehicles, and cargo when the main dock is unavailable.

“This major federal investment in Put-in-Bay’s ferry infrastructure will secure safe, resilient transit between Ohio’s mainland and South Bass Island — a cherished economic and cultural hub. Rising lake levels and severe weather increasingly threaten ferry operations, and this new breakwall will safeguard vital routes for passengers, goods, and emergency services,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Our region’s economic strength depends on resilient infrastructure, and the Put-in-Bay Port Authority’s forward-thinking project ensures that our Lake Erie island communities remain connected and thriving.”

The improvements will directly support the operations of Miller Boat Line, Inc., a primary ferry operator on Lake Erie. As ferry transportation is the primary means of accessing South Bass Island, the infrastructure enhancements will benefit nearly 850,000 annual visitors and the island’s year-round residents.

In recent years, extreme weather events and record high water levels in Lake Erie have underscored the need for robust infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted access to the islands. The construction of this breakwall will offer a critical layer of protection, ensuring continued safe transit during storms, heavy winds, or other adverse conditions.