The state Department of Transportation has begun pursuing the environmental permits necessary to build a multimillion-dollar facility in Port Angeles to construct pontoons and anchors for the new eastern half of the Hood Canal Bridge.
With work starting in 2003, the project could have an overall economic impact on the North Olympic Peninsula of $19 million dollars and create about 120 jobs, some paying about $56,000 a year, according to a study done by the city.
Once those permits are received, the Transportation Department will begin negotiations with the Port of Port Angeles for use of the waterfront property, spokesman Lloyd Brown said Wednesday.
Federal law requires the agency to obtain the permits before beginning lease negotiations, he said.
The agency wants to get bids for construction of the “graving dock yard” — a big, on-shore dry dock with a concrete plant — beginning in March, so everyone is working “very quickly” to get the permitting done, Brown said.
The department wants to start building the facility this summer, with completion in about six months.
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The rest of the story appears in the Thursday Peninsula Daily News Clallam County edition. Click on SUBSCRIBE, above, to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.
