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Ferry procurement bill gets 'green light' from
committee
More work left to be done to ensure Port
Townsend-Keystone run is fully restored
The House Transportation
Committee laid the groundwork to start building three ferries to restore
vehicle service for the Port Townsend to Keystone link by passing
Substitute House Bill 3218. The measure passed 22-4 with
Rep.
Norma Smith supporting the bill.
Substitute House Bill 3218 would require the Washington State Department
of Transportation (WSDOT) to construct new vessels to replace the four
Steel Electric vessels taken out of service last November due to safety
concerns. The bill would require that all the vessels be constructed in
Washington State and will carry no more than 100 cars. The department
expects to solicit bids for the new ferries on February 15th.
Smith offered an amendment to the substitute bill to specifically
require the new ferries to meet or exceed 2006 service levels on the
Port Townsend-Keystone route.
"The Keystone to Port Townsend ferry route is an extremely critical link
for commerce and communities around the district. I'm disappointed the
substitute bill removed language specifically referencing the Keystone
to Port Townsend run. That leaves a big question mark about what kind of
service we will get," said Smith, R-Clinton. "With the breach of public
trust that has occurred over our state's ferry system, I need assurances
the state is committed to fully restoring service on this run. That's
why I introduced my amendment."
Smith's amendment failed on a near party-line vote. However, Smith said
she received a commitment from the Chair of the transportation committee
that her concerns about restoring service to at least 2006 levels would
be addressed in the transportation budget.
Smith also expressed concerns about the type of boat that will be built
for this run. "Whidbey Island is home to more than sixty thousand
people, so restoring full, uninterrupted service that is safe and
reliable has to be the top priority," said Smith. "Any bill we pass must
have a short-term plan to add more capacity and a long-term plan to
ensure we have the right boats and the right amount of service for
citizens, tourism, commerce and Naval personnel."
Traffic to and from the Naval base on Whidbey Island is also important
to Smith.
"The Port Townsend to Keystone ferry is a major route that serves the
Whidbey Island Naval Air Station as well as Naval stations on the
peninsula," she said. "These bases are critical parts of our national
and state security that must be a high priority in the debate."
Finally, Smith was concerned that the limited capacity on the Port
Townsend-Keystone run right now could delay emergency services in the
event of a natural or man-made disaster. "Every safety and adequacy test
must be done to ensure we're meeting the needs of our residents," said
Smith.
Substitute House Bill 3218 will now go to the House Rules Committee for
consideration by the full House.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer:
(360) 786-7252
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