South Amboy Ferry Terminal

The City of South Amboy recently completed a $32 million construction contract for site improvements associated with its Ferry Terminal Facility, which now accommodates commuter parking and ferry vessels for passage to lower Manhattan as well as providing links to the NJ Transit Train Station in downtown South Amboy. The project is part of a transformational redevelopment of the Raritan Bay Waterfront, with the City of South Amboy at the heart of the activities. The new facility provides a new transportation alternative for New York City commuters and relieves existing overly congested surface routes.

The project site began supporting ferry operations across Raritan Bay as early as 1684 for stagecoach lines operating between Philadelphia and New York City. Then, in 1831, the Camden and Amboy Railroad became the first operational rail service in New Jersey, with the project site being the northeasterly terminus of the rail line and offering ferry service to New York City. Thereafter, in 1871, the project site was converted to a railyard and port facility for coal and aggregate shipments. In recent years, the site became abandoned and derelict. The redevelopment of the project site to a passenger ferry facility returns the project site to its earlier 1684 and 1831 ferry operation history.

The recently completed Site Improvements encompassed a plan area of approximately 20 acres and included an environmental remediation as well as the construction of waterfront improvements, access roadways, curbing, sidewalks, parking, a pavilion structure, landscaping, historical accommodations, site lighting, water, sewer, gas, electric and communication services.  Waterfront improvements include bulkheads, a seawall and concrete walkways.  Although originally incorporated into the project design, dredging of the entrance channel was performed concurrently under a separate contract issued by the NJDOT. The construction of a Terminal Building, new Floating Dock System and Site Security accommodations are being planned and procured under separate bids and contracts to be issued by the City of South Amboy. Project planning efforts have given special consideration to accommodating ferry boat access to the ferry terminal and commuter access, including ADA, as this interaction is critical to the sustainability of the project.

FPA’s design also gives consideration to on-going Sea Level Rise and the need to incorporate Climate Resiliency in the design of the improvements, with the facility intended to be serviceable after a major storm event, both upon completion of construction and through the year 2100, with wave impacts and flood control being of paramount concern. Incorporating public access considerations and climate resiliency into the planning and design of the facility is consistent with the fundamental principles of “Smart Planning” initiative as well as regulatory benchmarks and societal expectations. The development of the ferry terminal project has also provided an opportunity to preserve and pay tribute to the historical significance of the site, with the new facility including historical design elements within the landscaping as well as interpretive displays, while also preserving existing surficial and below-grade site features by minimizing excavation and disturbance of potentially historic elements.

The South Amboy Ferry Terminal project provided the City with a unique opportunity to advance passenger ferry service initiatives while enhancing environmental conditions and providing direct public access to the waterfront.  With a history of ferry service and cargo port operations dating back to 1684, this project re-establishes the site as a prominent transportation hub and public landmark with the construction of a first-rate ferry facility.