PORT TOWNSEND — A congressional subcommittee has approved $1 million appropriation for the Port of Port Townsend to finance and establish Port Townsend-Seattle passenger ferry service.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s office announced the approval Thursday, saying that the port “will receive funding for the acquisition of a vessel to establish high-speed passenger-only ferry service between Port Townsend and downtown Seattle.”
The key Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, which Murray chairs, approved appropriations to the Port of Port Townsend and other Clallam and Jefferson counties transportation agencies Wednesday.
Three other projects on the North Olympic Peninsula also received approval for a Transportation Housing and Urban Development appropriation, something that some 100 agencies had attempted.
Next committee step
They are Clallam Transit maintenance facility improvements, Elwha Valley road improvements and Jefferson Transit vehicle replacement.
Murray spokesman Evan Miller said the appropriation is not guaranteed, but he hinted the likelihood of securing it was good since Murray is the chairwoman of the Transportation Housing and Urban Development committee, where the proposal goes next, and the senior member on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee.
“The proposed high-speed passenger ferry link between Port Townsend and downtown Seattle Colman Dock will promote and offer commuters, visitors and residents a number of new modes of travel that reduce costs and environmental impacts associated with vehicle travel, enhance the regional mobility of Puget Sound as well as the economic benefits to several cities and counties,” Murray’s announcement said.
A priority for Murray
“This is a priority for her,” Miller said of the Democratic senator from Freeland.
“Especially now, it is critical to steer funding into transportation projects that create jobs and boost local economies in our own backyard on the Peninsula,” Murray said in a prepared statement.
Ultimately, the Senate and House would pass partner bills for the appropriation, which would then be signed by President Obama, Miller said.
“Establishing this passenger-only ferry service is an important step towards ensuring the long-term vibrancy and health of Jefferson County and the region,” said Larry Crockett, port executive director.
“Not only will this service support sustainable economic growth and the well being of our citizens, it does so in a way that is environmentally sensitive, consistent with our historic character, and enjoys the support of a broad cross-section of our community.”
The anticipated appropriation was celebrated on the “I support a passenger ferry between Port Townsend and Seattle” Facebook fan page at http://tinyurl.com/2bv695z:
“Great News!!! Senator Murray was able to secure $1M in the THUD appropriations subcommittee for funding of the passenger only ferry between PT & Seattle yesterday. Obviously there are still hurdles to jump as far as getting this request through the process, but it’s a MAJOR step in the right direction! Please send thx to Sen. Murray,” an entry on the page said.
Jim Pivarnik, port deputy director, said the port will not actively seek and purchase a used passenger ferry boat until the funding is in hand.
October or November
“It probably won’t be until early October or late November before we know,” Pivarnik said, cautioning that the service would probably not be launched this year but more likely next summer.
The port had looked at the passenger ferry Chilkat, built in Bellingham and used to move tourists in Alaska, but another entity has signed a contract for that vessel, taking that boat out of the port’s consideration.
Pivarnik said the port hopes to purchase a vessel with better fuel efficiency — perhaps something in the $600,000 to $700,000 range.
The port is required to accept bids from contracting boat operators and both Pete Hanke, owner of P.S. Express whale-watching tours in Port Townsend, and Jack Harmon, president of Victoria Express, which takes foot passengers to Victoria and Friday Harbor, have expressed interest in submitting bids to the port to provide Port Townsend-Seattle service out of Point Hudson Marina.
Three other projects
Other projects the subcommittee approved for appropriations:
• Clallam Transit Maintenance Facility Improvements — $200,000 to support the purchase of a replacement bus wash unit and water reclamation and recycling system.
This project is intended to increase productivity, reduce vehicle downtime, eliminate a current health hazard, cut water use by over 50 percent, and eliminate any chance of groundwater contamination.
• Elwha Valley Road Improvements — $1.3 million.
The project would provide a evacuation route from the Lower Elwha Valley in the event of catastrophic levee failure or tsunami, increase mobility by allowing bus and truck traffic to meet and continue travel, reduce ambulance and fire response time and provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the Olympic Discovery Trail, the announcement said.
• Jefferson Transit Vehicle Replacements — $400,000.
The money will support the replacement of vehicles that have exceeded their useful service life, including one heavy-duty bus and one medium-duty cutaway vehicle.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
