PORT ANGELES — A possible public-private partnership to apply for grants to rebuild parts of the dock where the MV Coho lands was proposed by the ferry’s ownership to the Port of Port Angeles on Monday.
Rian Anderson, Port Angeles district manager for Black Ball Ferry Line Inc., told port commissioners that the company seeks about $9 million in repairs and upgrades to its leased landing at the foot of Laurel Street.
About $2 million would come from Black Ball, and the company wants to pursue federal grants for the remaining $7 million.
“Whether it is Black Ball there or whether someone else, these repairs will benefit Port Angeles,” Anderson said.
2002 repairs
In 2002, the company repaired the western side of the northern tip of the dock — including constructing a large building that houses customs inspections, money exchange and a waiting room — but more repairs are needed to the eastern side and to the western side of the southern portion of the dock, he said.
“It is a very complicated dock,” Anderson said. “Some of it is built on fill, and some of it has had repairs.
“It is lasting well past its life expectancy, but that is because we have been making these improvements.
“It is getting close to the point that we can’t put anymore Band Aids on the dock.”
More than half a century
The dock dates at least to the 1950s, when the state ferry Kalakala, the MV Chinook and Canadian Pacific ferries used it for routes to Victoria and Seattle.
The Coho, which went into service in December 1959, has been using the landing for 50 years.
The pilings that are failing are of wood and would be replaced with concrete and steel pilings, Anderson said.
“You aren’t even allowed to use that type of lumber for pilings anymore, and what we replace it with will be much more environmentally friendly,” he said.
Other upgrades would include improvements to the vehicular Customs area — including room for secondary inspections — and new buildings.
Anderson said he isn’t sure which agencies would have funding available, but the federal departments of Homeland Security and Transportation might have some money.
The commissioners made no decision Monday on a possible partnership with the tenant, but port staff will research possible grants for which a partnership might seek.
Anderson said the new ferry landing could last another 50 to 75 years.
The Coho serves about 131,000 vehicles per year and about 511,000 foot passengers per year, Anderson said.
Deer Park overpass
In a separate item Monday, the port commissioners heard from Rich James, Clallam County senior transportation planner, who discussed the Deer Park Road overpass project on U.S. Highway 101 just east of Morse Creek in Port Angeles.
Gas taxes are allocated to local public agencies that can use them for street-related projects, James explained.
“You get between $70,000 and $100,000 each year from a very complicated formula,” he told the commissioners.
“The funds need to be obligated to projects which qualify — otherwise they can take the money back.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
