Post by ferryfast admin on Dec 17, 2007 14:55:03 GMT -5
Gregoire seeks $100 million for new ferries
Seattle PI
seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_gregoire_ferries.html?source=mypi
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Gov. Chris Gregoire pulled the plug Thursday on the state's four oldest, most decrepit ferries, proposing speedy construction of replacement boats at a cost of about $100 million.
A fast-track plan to restore service to Port Townsend and the north Olympic Peninsula will come at the expense of one of four new superferries planned for the nation's largest ferry system, and will temporarily grab money intended for a terminal project at Mukilteo.
The governor, moving to fix a major transportation link that has been disrupted since the aging boats were abruptly pulled from service last month, said the state will resume auto service between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island by mid- to late January.
Gregoire also announced another consolation for Port Townsend, where merchants are hard hit by the sudden loss of auto ferry service: A state-owned passenger boat will provide four roundtrips daily to whisk shoppers and others between downtown Seattle and Port Townsend.
That passenger-only service will run during the holidays, starting Thursday and lasting through early January.
Passenger-only service will continue between Port Townsend and Keystone on Whidbey Island until the car ferry service resumes. A whale-watching tour boat is being pressed into service on the route, taking over for a state boat that will be providing the direct service to Seattle.
And construction of the three new 144-car ferries finally is in sight.
Port Townsend Mayor Mark Welch said there was "unfettered delight" in his picturesque Victorian town when word began filtering out about the governor's plan.
"We're pleased by the efforts to deal with a bad situation, and glad they've acted quickly and creatively," he said in an interview.
A jolt of tourism will help the local economy and having auto ferry service again next month will restore a link that serves everyone from his son at Western Washington University to the loggers and businesses in Forks, he said.
The car service will be provided by the MV Christine Anderson, one of the ferries operated by Pierce County between Steilacoom and Anderson Island. Three new replacement vessels will be of similar design and could come on line within 14 months, presuming the Legislature concurs with Gregoire's plan.
The new boats will carry about 50 vehicles and 325 passengers.
Gregoire, in comments at Todd Shipyards in Seattle, said it makes more sense to build new ferries than to try to restore the 80-year-old Steel Electric class vessels.
The boats were on borrowed time, and when pitting and corrosion were found, the ferry system worried that they were unsafe and withdrew them from service last month.
Legislative transportation leaders have already concurred that the boats are too old and rickety to repair.
The small ferries were the only car ferries in the fleet that could navigate the narrow, shallow channel at Keystone on Whidbey Island.
Gregoire proposed financing the new small boats by tapping $64 million of the $348 million previously earmarked for four new 144-car jumbo ferries. She would also redirect $36 million from planned terminal improvements, including the Mukilteo dock. Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine has vowed to fight any such diversion of money.
Gregoire also authorized contracts with Todd Shipyards to start designing the long-planned large ferries. Todd will be prime contractor and J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. in Tacoma, and possibly Nichols Brothers, will subcontract.
Four new large boats were authorized in 2001 and financing was secured in 2003. But the procurement process became mired in legal challenges.
Gregoire said she's interested in both replacing the old boats and expanding overhaul ferry capacity. Washington runs the nation's largest ferry system, carrying 24 million passengers and 11 million vehicles a year.
In addition to troubles with some of the older vessels, the system has faced chronic money problems and critical state audits.
Gregoire concurred with the Department of Transportation's decision to take the four vessels out of operation permanently. The Quinault, Klickitat, Illahee and Nisqually, built in the late 1920s, were believed to be the oldest in the nation still operating in salt water.
The Klickitat and the Illahee were the only ones of the four vessels operating at the time DOT made the decision last month. The ferry system has paid upward of $4 million this year on repairs to the boats, but finally decided it was a losing cause.
"We no longer believe the hulls are safe," the governor said, adding that, "Damage is significant enough that it simply isn't worth the tax dollars to make repairs.
"We simply had to make the call we did and move forward."
Gregoire said the ferry system is "facing a financial crisis" and that "Washington must find other sustainable and stable sources of funds to support our state's ferry system."
A study group will make its proposals in time for the 2009 legislative session.
Gregoire's 2008 challenger, Dino Rossi, said restoring the Port Townsend auto ferry service is "beyond argument," but said "Christine Gregoire has some explaining to do about how we got to this point in the first place.
"The state has known for 20 years that the Steel Electric ferries were beyond their life span. It has had the money and the authorization for four years ... and yet after all this, here we are and the end of 2007 with Christine Gregoire caught unprepared."
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On the Net:
Ferry system: www.wsdot.wa.gov
Gov.: www.governor.wa.gov