BAYONNE, N.J. — Construction is officially underway on the long-anticipated Bayonne Ferry Terminal, a major transportation project rising at the former Military Ocean Terminal that city leaders say will significantly improve access between New Jersey and Manhattan.
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Local and regional officials marked the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by representatives from the City of Bayonne, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and New York Waterway. The project is located on the southern edge of the former military complex, roughly a mile east of Bayonne’s downtown core.
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis said the new ferry service will “change the economic future of Bayonne” and predicted that “ridership will explode.”
City officials said the terminal will provide commuters with a faster and more convenient route into Manhattan, offering an alternative to existing road and rail congestion. The terminal is being built adjacent to a former military motel at 51 Port Terminal Blvd., positioning it near existing waterfront infrastructure.
The City of Bayonne purchased 2.3 acres of land from the Port Authority in 2024 for $4.4 million to advance the project. Of that total, approximately 1.6 acres will be used for the ferry terminal and associated parking facilities, while the remaining 0.7 acres will support an expanded waterfront walkway for public use.
In addition, neighboring property owner Lincoln Equities is contributing an extra acre of land to support the development, further expanding the footprint of the transportation hub.
Officials say the terminal represents a key investment in Bayonne’s waterfront redevelopment strategy, which has focused on reactivating former military and industrial land for public access, transportation, and economic growth. The ferry terminal is expected to serve both daily commuters and visitors, strengthening connections between Bayonne, Jersey City, and New York City.
Once completed, the Bayonne Ferry Terminal is expected to become a centerpiece of the city’s evolving waterfront, supporting transit-oriented development and helping reposition the former Military Ocean Terminal as a modern gateway for residents and businesses alike.
Originally reported by Advance Local Express Desk Stephanie Loder | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
