PORT TOWNSEND — Todd Pacific Shipyards, which already is working on one 64-car ferry for $65.5 million, was once again the lone bidder for two more of the same size, offering to construct them for the state for $114 million.
The state ferries engineer’s estimate for the two is $109.9 million.
Todd, which is now building the hull of the first 64-car Port Townsend-Keystone ferry at its shipyard on Harbor Island in Seattle, also bid on the construction of a third 64-car ferry for the state to use elsewhere in the ferry system, for a total bid of $164.9 million for all three, about $13.5 million under Washington State Ferries’ estimate for construction of three 64-car ferries.
“I appreciate Todd Pacific Shipyards bidding on our work,” said David Moseley, state Department of Transportation assistant secretary for the Ferries Division, who opened the bid Thursday morning in Seattle.
Todd’s lone bid on the 64-car vessel proposal in December 2008 came in $40 million over budget to build two Island Home-style ferries for the Port Townsend-Keystone route.
The state originally rejected it, but later cut back the project to one ferry.
“I think the improved bid is due in part to the positive working relationship the ferry system has established with Todd during the current construction process,” Moseley said.
Award contract soon
Moseley said he saw no problems initially with Todd’s bid, and he expects to award a contract within 10 days, after an evaluation to ensure it meets contract requirements.
Construction of the Port Townsend-Keystone route’s first ferry is on schedule. The completed ferry is due in June 2010.
Also involved in Todd’s ferry-construction team are Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland on Whidbey Island, which is building the pilot houses and the superstructure that will include the passenger cabin above the deck, and Everett Shipyard, which is building the vessel’s mezzanine section and curtain plates, the sides of the vessel.
Jesse Engineering of Tacoma is building ferry components.
The state solicited bids for construction and delivery of two 64-car ferries with an optional third vessel.
The schedule for vessel construction is about 20 months each for the first two vessels, the first of which could be under construction in January, with the second under way beginning in 2011.
The decision to exercise the option to add the construction of a third vessel will be made no later than May 31, 2011.
Moseley said the state Legislature will have to budget more state money for the third ferry, but that state funding covers two vessels.
Port Townsend was left with one-ferry service, the 50-car Steilacoom II leased from Pierce County in early 2008, after Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond pulled the Steel Electric ferries off the route, saying they were unsafe, in November 2007.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
