WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a $25 million grant to replace the 60-year-old Lummi Island ferry with an electric-battery hybrid ferry and build related infrastructure. DOT awarded the funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant Program, which enables communities of all sizes to carry out projects with significant local or regional impact.

“This critical investment enables Whatcom County to transition to a cleaner and greener ferry to provide reliable transportation to and from Lummi Island, which creates more jobs, fosters more opportunities for residents and business, and combats climate change,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02).

“The Lummi Island Ferry is a critical transportation link for island residents but is in desperate need of modernization,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “This federal investment will help make the ferry greener and more efficient so people can get to their jobs, communities, and loved ones faster in this rural region.”

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu celebrated the investment and highlighted what the funding means for county residents.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant, which will not only help us replace our 60-year-old ferry but also allow us to transition to renewable energy and significantly reduce our carbon footprint over the long term,” said Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu. “This investment of federal funds, together with state and local dollars, ensures that the residents and visitors of Lummi Island will have safe and reliable transportation for many years to come.”

In November, President Biden signed into law the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a bold, long-term investment in the nation’s infrastructure Larsen and DelBene supported to create jobs, drive economic recovery, and build a cleaner, greener and safer transportation network. The IIJA authorized $7.5 billion over five years to the existing RAISE Discretionary Program, formerly known as TIGER and BUILD grants. The $1.5 billion in available funding for RAISE grants in 2022 represents a 50 percent increase in available funds compared to last year when applicants requested $10 in funding for every $1 available.

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