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Ferry closure a major economic blow to
communities, says Bailey
10th
District lawmaker calls for Legislature to move quickly on long-term
solution
"This closure of a major
state highway between the peninsula and Whidbey Island is unacceptable.
We have to do whatever it takes to get our water highway opened again.
It must become our number one priority,"
Rep.
Barbara Bailey said today
in response to the closure of the car ferry service between Keystone and
Port Townsend.
Tuesday night, Washington
Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond ordered the ferry service to pull
its four Steel Electric class vessels out of service to examine the
hulls of the 80-year-old Klickitat, Quinault, Nisqually and Illahee
boats. Hammond said the Keystone-Port Townsend run could be closed into
January or longer.
"This will have a
significant impact not only for Whidbey Island and the peninsula, but
also for Skagit County and beyond. The Keystone-Port Townsend route is a
critical transportation link for our community. In 2006, this route
carried more than 766,000 riders, including nearly 370,000 vehicles, and
generated millions of dollars, both in terms of fare revenues and for
transportation of goods and services," said Bailey, R-Oak Harbor.
"People depend on this route for work and school. It's an important link
for recreation, tourism, and for personnel working at NAS Whidbey. This
closure will be a major blow for our local economy and for our residents
who rely on this route in their daily lives."
Bailey said she has been
fighting for several years in the Legislature for replacement of the
aging vessels.
"This closure is something
that could have and should have been prevented. In 2003, during
my first year in the Legislature, I supported a transportation budget
that provided $285 million to build four new 133-car vessels to replace
all four Steel Electrics. I have pushed for replacement of these vessels
year after year because of the importance to maintain the viability of
the Keystone ferry run," noted Bailey.
"Unfortunately, the
governor and the majority leaders in the Legislature have opted for
planning rather than action," she added. "So here we are nearly five
years later saddled with a boat-load of studies and no new ferries, no
work on a new Keystone harbor terminal, an indefinite closure of our
major ferry route, and the governor just now saying replacement of these
ferries should be a priority. It seems a little late for her to call for
action now."
Bailey has been in contact
with the major shipbuilders in the area to seek immediate options, both
short-term and long-term, that will re-open the Keystone route.
"Plans and boat designs
exist that are ready to be executed right now. If we cut the red tape
and move forward with some leadership on this issue, these boats could
be built and ready to go into service in as early as 14 months," added
Bailey. "We can't wait any longer for studies and indecision. The people
who rely on the Keystone route for their livelihood deserve better. We
need majority party leaders in the Legislature to join with us in making
the right decisions to solve this issue expeditiously."
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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