Concerned about an adverse impact on businesses when part of the Hood Canal Bridge is replaced in 2006, elected officials from four local governments agreed Tuesday to create a task force to develop transportation alternatives.
Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Port of Port Townsend and Public Utility District officials agreed additional ferry runs and other measures will be needed to sustain businesses in Jefferson County when the bridge closes for six weeks.
Last month, a key regional authority approved a mitigation plan that calls for foot-traffic ferries between South Point and Port Gamble.
The plan does not include car ferries connecting Port Townsend to Edmonds or Kingston.
On March 14, state Department of Transportation officials said there isn’t enough money for additional ferry service to Port Townsend.
Local business owners are worried about a decline in tourism because of limited access to the area.
The number of tourist trips by car is predicted to drop dramatically from 2,000 a day during the beginning of 2006 to around 200 a day when the bridge closes, Transportation officials said.
“It was made obvious in the meeting that there weren’t going to be many changes,” Port Townsend City Councilwoman Michelle Sandoval said. “Any change is going to have to come from the community itself.
“We need to start lobbying everybody.”
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