Steamship Authority To Replace Transfer Bridges On Steamboat Wharf

Two of the island's most important pieces of transportation infrastructure will soon be replaced and upgraded.

Steamship Authority general manager Bob Davis announced at Tuesday's Board of Governors meeting that work will begin next month to replace both transfer bridges at Steamboat Wharf on Nantucket.

The transfer bridges, both more than 40 years old, allow the safe transfer of trucks, vehicles, passengers, and freight from the Steamship Authority's various vessels onto Steamboat Wharf. The $1.62 million project will be completed by AGM Marine. Eighty percent of the funding will come from federal highway funds, with the remaining 20 percent paid by the SSA.

Work is expected to begin on the south slip's transfer bridge on October 14th and will be completed within two weeks.

"So they're going to be starting on the south slip initially, so hopefully they can learn some lessons by the time they move to the north slip here in Nantucket," Davis said. A similar project will begin this fall at the Steamship's wharf in Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard.