Carteret ferry terminal breaks ground

Construction has officially begun on Carteret's new multimodal ferry terminal, a project anticipated for years and aimed at transforming the borough's waterfront. This four-story, 52,000-square-foot facility, set to open by early 2028, will reintroduce ferry services to the area for the first time since the 1950s, providing a new transit option to New York City.

The groundbreaking follows the recent awarding of a $47.5 million contract for construction, funded significantly by over $90 million in federal and state grants. Mayor Daniel J. Reiman champions the terminal as a vital transportation improvement and an economic development catalyst. The building will also serve as a public destination, featuring retail spaces, restaurants, a recreational area, and a rooftop accessible to the public.

Beyond the terminal building, the project encompasses a 700-space parking lot and infrastructure to support various transit modes, including NJ Transit buses and ride-share services. Site work, such as bulkhead installation and dredging, has already commenced. Local and state officials hailed the groundbreaking as a crucial step in enhancing transportation options in Central Jersey and strengthening connections to Manhattan's job centers.