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Bailey encouraged by recent
ferry developments
10th District lawmaker wants new plan executed on
time, present and future needs of communities met
It was announced today the
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will move forward
with construction of two 60-car Island Home-style ferries to
accommodate the Keystone – Port Townsend route.
Rep. Barbara Bailey
of the 10th District was encouraged by the
recent developments, but wants to ensure the new plan is executed on
time and that all solutions meet the present and future needs of her
communities.
“Our communities that rely on ferries don’t want promises – they want
action. While it’s important we have a new plan, it’s vital that this
plan is executed within the timeline promised to the public. There
should be no excuses from the state this time,” said Bailey, R-Oak
Harbor. “I have consistently advocated for the right solution and
that the right boat be built as soon as possible. We must ensure
reliable ferry services and that everything we do moving forward meets
the present and future needs of our communities.”
WSDOT also reached an agreement with Pierce County that will allow the
state to extend a lease on one of the county’s ferries until new vessels
can be built. The Steilacoom II is scheduled to return to Pierce
County in September 2008. A similar vessel, the 50-car Christine
Anderson, will serve the Keystone – Port Townsend route until the
first new Island Home-style ferry is ready for service in the
spring of 2010.
Today’s announcement is a deviation from a previous plan to build a
smaller, Steilacoom II-style ferry that could accommodate only 50
cars. The initial plan was to build one Steilacoom II-style ferry
to provide uninterrupted car service for the short-term, and build two
Island Home-style ferries as a long-term plan. The Steilacoom
II would have then been used as an emergency backup within the state
ferry system.
The 2008 supplemental transportation budget included $84.5 million to
build three replacement vessels for the Keystone – Port Townsend route,
and $283.2 million to continue work on the previously-approved 144-car
vessels.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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