U.S. DOT Grant to Fund Ferry Service to Florida’s Murphy Island State Park

Federal Highway Administration
27 October 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Contact: Doug Hecox, 202-366-0660
FHWA 19-04n

Visiting Murphy Island State Park will be much easier, thanks to a new $195,573 Federal Highway Administration grant for a boat that will provide ferry service from nearby Palatka, Florida, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

“This funding will help improve access to one of our natural treasures and connect residents to the daily essentials of life,” said Secretary Mineta. “As our economy continues to grow, the Bush Administration continues investing in projects that fuel opportunity and prosperity in communities across America.”

In addition to improving public access to parts of the Murphy Island State Park near Dunns Creek, Secretary Mineta said the ferry service will provide the only regularly scheduled link to nearby train and bus facilities and the only means of public travel on the St. John’s River.

“President Bush knows that transportation investments are ensuring that goods make it to store shelves, and helping Floridians get to their jobs and home again safely and on time,” said Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters.