For Immediate Release
March 30th, 2026
Hurricane Help for Coastal Communities: Devastated Dunedin Pier Gets Major Funds for Repairs
Dunedin, FL—Marking a major milestone in the recovery of coastal Tampa Bay communities from hurricanes Helene and Milton, significant federal funding was delivered Monday morning to help rebuild the iconic Dunedin Pier, which was twisted and torn apart by Hurricane Helene’s destructive storm surge.
*** CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO & PHOTOS FROM THE PRESENTATION OF FUNDS – ALONG WITH IMAGES OF DAMAGED PIER ***
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna worked to secure more than $800,000 in vital federal funding and Monday presented a check for the funds to representatives from the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and the City of Dunedin. These funds will specifically reconstruct the portion of the pier used by PSTA’s Clearwater Ferry, creating a permanent dock for the ferry service, which serves as an important transportation and tourism link to other Pinellas County communities.
“After the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, rebuilding the Dunedin Pier is about more than infrastructure, its about restoring the heart of this community,” said Representative Anna Paulina Luna, Florida’s 13th Congressional District. “I was proud to help secure this funding to ensure Dunedin comes back stronger, safer, and ready to thrive again.”
PSTA’s Clearwater Ferry has made stops at the Dunedin Pier since 2018, connecting the city with Clearwater Beach and Downtown Clearwater. When Hurricane Helene ripped apart the pier on September 26, 2024, the Dunedin portion of the ferry service was halted for more than a year.
That stopped service cut off a flow of visitors to Downtown Dunedin’s businesses as well as a popular way for Dunedin locals to get to Clearwater Beach. In October 2025, service to Dunedin resumed with a small temporary dock. Because of the funding being presented Monday, that stopgap measure will be replaced by a full, permanent dock in the months ahead.
“We sincerely thank Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna for her support and championing these funds for our community,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “ With the Dunedin line being the most popular Clearwater Ferry route, in terms of ridership, this funding will restore a critical transit link that will support tourism, workforce mobility and congestion relief along the beach communities.“
The City of Dunedin has worked tirelessly since the storm to assemble funding from a range of sources to rebuild the entire pier and restore it as a centerpiece of Dunedin’s beloved Downtown. The funds presented by Congresswoman Luna on Monday will be coordinated with funding from FEMA, the State of Florida’s Disaster Fund, and the city’s general fund to bring the pier back to life. Construction is now underway, with completion expected by the end of this year.
“This $828,000 investment is a meaningful step in Dunedin’s recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and ensures the Clearwater Ferry can continue serving our waterfront community,” said Rob Walker, Vice Mayor of the City of Dunedin and PSTA Board Member. “We want to thank Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna and her staff for securing this critical funding to ensure we are meeting the needs of our visitors and the residents of not only Dunedin, but Pinellas County, as well.”
“The Clearwater Ferry transported an estimated 25,000 passengers in 2025 between Clearwater, Clearwater Beach and Dunedin and is expected to significantly surpass that number in 2026. The money is going towards rebuilding the pier that will support ferry operations to further promote tourism, ease roadway congestion during peak travel times, and preserve the maritime character that defines our region,” Walker added.
Stephanie Weaver
Communications & Public Relations Manager
C: (727) 249-6542
E: sweaver@psta.net
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ABOUT PINELLAS SUNCOAST TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Since 1903, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has served as the premier public transit provider for Pinellas County, Florida’s most densely populated county. The SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit service, provides a reliable, car-free option from downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach. With 41 fixed-route bus routes, two express routes to downtown Tampa, the Suncoast Beach trolley, Jolley Trolley and Looper and their paratransit service Access, PSTA provides 10.7 million rides annually. For more information about PSTA, visit www.psta.net