MANTEO, N.C. (WITN) - The state ferry system will gain $7 million this year, thanks to Senate Bill 449 being passed on Tuesday by the General Assembly.

The North Carolina Ferry Division showed gratitude to state lawmakers for the funding.

“This funding will help pay for a U.S. Coast Guard-required drydock, enable us to pay for the necessary preventive maintenance for our vessels, help address our marine infrastructure, and allow for dredging,” said Jed Dixon, director of the N.C. Ferry Division.

This comes after the Department of Transportation proposed a 43% departure cut to the ferry service from Minnesott Beach to Cherry Branch in Craven County.

Dixon says the bill will prevent those cuts and ensure customers can ride the ferry without reduced schedules.

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