California Governor Gavin Newsom has approved the Berkeley Water Transportation Pier Ferry Project for judicial streamlining under Senate Bill 149. The designation is intended to reduce delays from potential litigation and allow the project to move forward more quickly.

Developed by the City of Berkeley and San Francisco Bay Ferry, the project will replace the long-closed Berkeley Municipal Pier with a new facility serving both public recreation and an all-electric ferry route connecting Berkeley, San Francisco and Larkspur.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to remove about 19,000 vehicle miles per day from Bay Area roads, helping reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

The announcement comes amid a congressional dispute over California’s emissions rules for large docked ships and commercial harbor vessels. California officials say the regulations are important for reducing diesel pollution and protecting public health in port communities.