State seeks bids for new ferries

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Ferries Division (WSF) is building four new ferries in the next five years to replace its aging fleet. Nine of WSF’s 20 auto-passenger ferries are between 40 and 60 years old and must be replaced in the next 20 years. The last new Washington State Ferry was put into service in 1999. The state recently sold four 82-year-old Steel Electric class ferries after they were removed from service for safety reasons.

“Going to ad for these new vessels is a significant step toward updating our fleet and providing our customers a long-term, sustainable ferry system,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “In addition, the investment in our ferry system is also an investment in jobs – for the state’s shipbuilding industry and for the local economies that depend on reliable ferry service. We have worked closely with the legislature, ferry-served communities, business leaders and elected officials to get to the point where we could say the ferry system’s future is looking brighter.”

“This is a big step in solving the problem and restoring full ferry service for both Coupeville and Port Townsend. We ferry riders have been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Senate Transportation Committee Chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island.

“We’re happy to report that we’re making progress. Construction is well underway on the first new 64-car ferry,” said David Moseley, Assistant Secretary for WSF.

WSF awarded a $65.5 million contract to Todd Pacific Shipyards in December 2008 to build one 64-car ferry, which is scheduled to be delivered in summer 2010. The Port Townsend/Keystone route is currently being served by the Steilacoom II leased from Pierce County.

The 2009 Transportation Budget provided $114.8 million for construction of 64-car ferries in the 2009-2011 biennium, and $69.4 million in the 2011-2013 biennium. WSF will pursue a contract for the second and third 64-car ferries with an option to purchase a fourth 64-car ferry. However, if sufficient resources are available to build one 144-car ferry prior to exercising the option to build the fourth 64-car ferry, WSF will pursue procurement of a 144-car ferry instead of a fourth 64-car ferry.

The bid package was posted on WSF’s contracts Web site on Friday, August 7. WSF will open bids on the additional 64-car ferries contract this fall.