Town Administrator Steven Contente (left) and Harbormaster Gregg Marsili (right) took Senator Jack Reed on a tour of Bristol’s new marina on Friday, June 10.

The marina is just one of several waterfront infrastructure projects, along with improvements to the Prudence Ferry dock, the new fuel station at the State Street dock, and the purchase of the new fire and rescue boats that have benefitted from Reed’s efforts to bring federal funds home to his constituents.

In addition to grants, the number of transient slips plus income from fuel sales will help maintain the marina as a revenue-neutral resource for residents. It is open to the public, and fishing is permitted along the outer-facing side of the 16-foot wide main concrete pier. The design of the pier includes low-impact anchoring of the main pier to the seafloor, while breaking the strong current coming into the harbor for slips as far north as Stone Harbor. Though the Harbormaster’s office began welcoming slip-renters last weekend, the official ribbon-cutting and opening occurred Wednesday, June 15.