Seaport Advisory Council Approves $4 Million Toward Salem Wharf Project

A project aimed at bringing cruise ships to Salem took a big step forward Thursday when the state's Seaport Advisory Council announced it would provide $4 million toward the endeavor. 

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary, and Chair of the Seaport Advisory Council, Richard A. Davey, announced Thursday that the council's grant program will award more than $18 million in funding to support 11 projects along the Commonwealth’s coast.

The $4 million toward the Salem Wharf Project will allow for the construction of a deep-water dock, upland final improvements a commercial marina and additional 140ft of pier with wave fence, according to a release.

The Salem Wharf will ultimately serve a variety of commercial vessels, including the Salem to Boston Ferry service, cruise lines, excursion boats, marine industrial companies, local fisherman and a variety of landside transportation operations.

“I am extremely grateful to the Seaport Advisory Council for this grant award,” Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll said in a prepared statement. “Thanks to this major funding award, the new Salem Wharf will be closer to completion and we will be able to undertake important improvements for our deep-water dock, which will further enhance our already vibrant Harbor and waterfront. Salem and the sea have always had a deep and vital connection. These funds will further strengthen that historic relationship and allow our City to fuel additional economic growth from it.”

The Seaport Advisory Council also approved $5,600,000 to support the Blynman Canal and Stacey Blvd Seawall Reconstruction Project in Gloucester and $50,000 in funding for the Bass River Dredging Engineering Project in Beverly.