PORT TOWNSEND – If approved by both state legislative branches, the House’s two-year $7.4 billion state transportation budget proposal will delay $36 million earmarked for Port Townsend ferry terminal expansion, lawmakers confirmed Thursday.
But, the ferry run between Port Townsend and Keystone on Whidbey Island won’t be terminated without action in the state Legislature, emphasized Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, House majority leader and lawmaker for the 24th District, which includes Jefferson and Clallam counties.
Hadley Green, Washington State Ferries community relations manager, said that the state ferry system is continuing to discuss terminal expansion.
“At this point, it’s still status quo, with putting the planning process on hold to discuss the issues raised with the public in Port Townsend,” Green said Thursday.
But, Kessler said Washington State Ferries personnel had discussed the idea of terminating the run because it loses money.
She said that the budget for the Department of Transportation, which funds the state ferry system, and any decisions about the Port Townsend-Keystone route open will be up to the state Legislature.
“A bill was passed in House this year that explicitly states that before the Department of Transportation can terminate a run, the Legislature has to approve it,” she said.
“Some question whether to keep the route open because it’s not sustainable,” she said.
“I will make sure we make the decision, not the Washington Department of Transportation.”
“Meanwhile, there is money in the budget to maintain preservation,” of the terminal, she said.
It is already budgeted, she said.
“The terminal will be kept alive,” Kessler said.
