U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor sent a letter on Thursday to the Hillsborough County officials urging them to move forward on the region’s high-speed ferry project.  

Ferry service would benefit the personnel at MacDill Air Force Base, who are experiencing significant delays in entering the base and would execute the substantial federal grant dollars made available to Hillsborough County for ferry service.

U.S. Rep. Castor led in securing federal funding for the original feasibility study in 2009. She also helped to secure a grant towards capital costs in 2014 but this funding has been unspent, which could threaten Tampa Bay’s ability to secure future funding to further improve and increase transportation options.