PORT ANGELES — A loud and collective “That’s great!” greeted the announcement Tuesday that Port Angeles was selected for a multimillion-dollar project to build concrete pontoons and anchors for the new eastern half of the Hood Canal Bridge.
Even Gov. Gary Locke welcomed the news.
The project could have an overall economic impact on the North Olympic Peninsula of $19 million and create about 120 new jobs, some of them paying about $56,000 a year.
“While we have yet to begin formal lease negotiations, there is no doubt the Port Angeles site is the best option for the Hood Canal Bridge project,” said Randy Hinn, administrator for state Department of Transportation’s Olympic Region.
The Transportation Department had been considering Port Angeles and a smaller site in Tacoma for the “graving dock yard,” a big, onshore dry dock.
Gov. Locke said he was delighted Port Angeles was picked.
“The new graving site will result in jobs for Port Angeles and provide a shot in the arm for the area economy,” he said.
Hinn made the announcement a day before the decision was expected.
Said Port Executive Director Clyde Boddy, who headed a team that had been negotiating with the state for several months:
“This is exciting news, and we are elated like everyone else.”
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