PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County officials are hoping to purchase 40 acres near the intersection of state Highways 19 and 104 for construction of the planned Gateway Visitor Center park and ride.
The acquisition is necessary for development of the park and ride prior to the planned 2006 Hood Canal Bridge closure.
On Monday, commissioners agreed to have the property, which is next to the current visitor center, appraised.
If complete by 2005, the park and ride would be leased by the state Department of Transportation to accommodate parking for foot ferries operating between South Point and Port Gamble when the bridge closes for repairs.
The closure is expected to last eight weeks.
State Department of Transportation officials had initially considered establishing a temporary park and ride at Fred Hill Materials Inc.’s Shine Pit in Shine.
But they said they would use the Gateway Visitor Center park and ride if it is completed by 2005.
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The rest of this story appears in the Tuesday Peninsula Daily News Jefferson County edition. Click on SUBSCRIBE to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.
