11/26/2008 12:54:00 PM Keystone route to get only one ferry - at least for now
Justin Burnett / The Whidbey Examiner
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen briefs the Island County Council of Governments on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s decision to accept the Todd Pacific Shipyards bid to build one 64-ferry for the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry route.
By Justin Burnett Examiner Staff Writer
Washington State Ferries will accept Todd Pacific Shipyard's bid to build one 64-car ferry for the Keystone-Port Townsend route, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen told the Island County Council of Governments Nov. 26.
"The bid has not been [made official], but the decision was made yesterday; we will be going ahead with one boat," Haugen said, adding that the announcement had not yet been made public.
On Nov. 13, Washington State Ferries opened the bidding process for the construction of two new 64-car ferries based on the Island Home design - a ferry designed in Seattle that serves Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. Earlier this year, the state Legislature set aside set aside $84 million to build replacement vessels for the Steel Electrics, which were retired for safety reasons in November of 2007.
Todd was the only Washington shipbuilder to turn in a bid. To build both vessels, Todd quoted a cost of $124.4 million - about $28.5 million more than WSF's estimated cost of $95.9 million.
Todd also provided a bid to build just one ferry for $65.4 million. That offer was $16 million more than WSF's $49.4 million estimate for a single vessel.
Following the meeting, Haugen said state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond contacted her Nov. 25 to inform her that Gov. Christine Gregoire had given the OK to accept Todd's bid to construct just one vessel.
But Haugen insisted that two vessels will ultimately be built for the route. Money that has been set aside for the construction of 144-car ferries will likely be used for the construction of at least one more ferry based on the Island Home design, she said.
"We have money budgeted, just not appropriated," Haugen said.
However, even though she said the money is available now, she said the governor was unwilling to accept Todd's bid to build both boats because their quote may have been inflated because they were the only bidder. Haugen said Gregoire was only willing to accept Todd's bid to build one ferry because a replacement vessel is needed on the run as soon as possible.
