PORT TOWNSEND — Two-boat service on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route begins Sunday with the return of the MV Salish, beginning the third year with two ferries connecting state Highway 20 across Admiralty Inlet.
The Salish will run alongside the MV Kennewick, providing service between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island every 45 minutes for much of the day instead of every 90 minutes until Oct. 14.
The two-boat service also adds a late ferry on each route, leaving at 10 p.m. from Port Townsend and 10:40 p.m. from Coupeville.
As it opens up from one-boat service to two ferries, the route has two infrastructure improvements.
A new $5.5 million transfer span on Slip 1 at the Port Townsend terminal will open by Sunday, Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Marta Coursey said.
New ramp
The new ramp replaces the ramps that were built in 1982 and are at the end of their lifespans, according to the state ferry system.
Since the project began in November, the single ferry has used the narrower Slip 2, which limited truck access.
After the new slip is in place, the ferry that is loading and unloading will use it, while the ferry not in use will dock in the second slip.
The updated span is expected to cut operational costs since the new design is simpler and requires fewer staff members to operate, the state said.
The project also brought the span up to current seismic, mechanical and electrical standards.
The Salish, Kennewick and MV Chetzemoka, which is now serving the Port Defiance-Tahlequah route, belong to the Kwa-di Tabil class of ferries.
All boats in this class listed to one side after they were placed into service.
Boat won’t lean
Coursey said the list has been corrected on the Salish, with 80 tons of ballast added into existing metal box-like containers on top of the boat’s two fuel tanks.
The ferry system will assess the performance of the Salish prior to modifying the list on the Chetzemoka and Kennewick, she said.
“It’s wonderful that we get two boats in the summer,” said Port Townsend Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen.
“It provides an essential link to Port Townsend and benefits our local businesses, both downtown and uptown.”
Aside from providing a link for cars, the ferries also increase foot traffic with walk-ons who come to town to shop, Mullen said.
“It benefits our shops and restaurants, and provides them with needed business,” she said.
For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/bc57lmv.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
