This project will replace the aging vessel for the St. Johns River Ferry service. The service connects State Route A1A from the Village of Mayport on the south side of the river to Fort George Island on the north side.

The Jean Ribault, which is the current Ferry vessel, was constructed in 1995. A ferry vessel of this type has an expected useful life of 30 to 40 years. The primary issue facing the ferry service at this time is that when the only ferry vessel, the Jean Ribault, is pulled from service for maintenance, overall ferry service must be suspended. When the service is suspended, the detour is approximately 24 miles by car via I-295 over the Dame Point Bridge. The Jean Ribault will be maintained as a relief vessel when the new vessel is pulled from service for maintenance, ensuring on-going reliability. The new ferry will be of similar size and capacity, but JTA is looking at options that will meet the regional transportation and net-zero emissions goals.

In 2023, JTA held multiple public meetings to solicit feedback on the results of the St. Johns River Ferry New Ferry Feasibility Study. View the presentation here. The report provides details on JTA’s approach to bringing a new Ferry vessel to the community and reaching a zero emissions target.

In 2024 JTA received a $15.6 million Low-No Ferry Grant from the Federal Transit Administration to buy a new diesel hybrid-electric ferry. Design of the new ferry vessel is expected to begin in 2025.