History/Timeline of New Ferry Construction and Keystone Harbor Terminal Improvements
1927
The Steel Electric ferries are built to serve as ferries in San Francisco Bay, before the Golden gate bridge was built. They are expected to last 60 years.
2001
In 2001, a Joint Task Force on Ferries convened by the Legislature noted that the state needs to think about replacement of the four Steel Electric ferries. At that the time, the estimated end of useful life of these boats was 2010. That report cited an 8-year process to design, build, and put into service a new vessel. Also assumed at the time were improvements to the Port Townsend and Keystone terminals to accommodate new and larger vessels.
2002
The Legislature passed R-51, which includes $321.9 million for four new auto/passenger ferries to replace the Steel Electric vessels. Voters reject the 9-cent gas tax increase and other tax/fee increases by a 62-38 percent margin.
Washington State Ferries (WSF) proposes to construct two new 124-auto capacity vessels, with one vessel serving the Port Townsend-Keystone route. This proposal assumes that major changes would be made to both terminals to accommodate the larger vessel (Steel Electrics are 59-auto capacity). Improvements to the terminals were anticipated to finish in June 2008.
2003
A House Transportation Committee Ferries Workgroup recommends financing four new auto ferries (two from existing revenues and two from new revenues) to replace the Steel Electrics.
The Legislature passed and the governor signed the Nickel Package (5-cent gas tax increase). The project list includes $284.7 million for four 133-auto ferries to replace the four Steel Electrics, with the first vessel scheduled for delivery in 2008.
Environmental review begins on alternatives for the Keystone Harbor terminal. The configuration of the new vessels assumes that the Keystone Harbor Terminal would be modified to accommodate the larger vessels.
2004
The Legislature added $200,000 for cost increases on the four new auto ferries in the 2004 Supplemental Transportation budget.
A budget proviso directs WSF to study alternatives to maintain/retrofit the Keystone terminal rather than relocating the terminal outside of the harbor. The proviso also specifies that alternatives must consider improvements inside the harbor and retrofitting the Steel Electrics.
WDOT Report concludes the ferries should be replaced.
2005
The Legislature passed and the governor signed the Transportation Partnership Package (9.5 cent gas tax increase), which included $66.4 million for a fifth new 133-auto ferry.
July, 2005 �Gov. Gregoire and the Washington State Ferries shelve plans for replacing the 1927 Steel Electric ferries, opting instead for 144-car ferries that would leave the Steel Electric Ferries in service. (Seattle Times)
October, 2005 � Congressman Dave Reichert writes a letter to Gov. Gregoire raising concerns over the safety of the Steel Electrics.
2006
The Legislature passed and the governor signed the 2006 Supplemental Budget, which deleted the fifth new auto ferry, changed the size of the vessels to 144-auto boats and funded $13.8 million in cost increases. The budget funds the four 144-auto boats at $321.9 M. At the same time, litigation ensues on the bidding process for the new ferry boats.
A scoping period for the Keystone Terminal project was started in Spring 2006. The Port Townsend project was put on hold in October 2006, following community opposition to expanding the terminal to accommodate a larger vessel. This move also effectively halted work on the Keystone Terminal project.
2007
The Legislature passed and the governor signed the 2007-09 Transportation budget which included nearly $26 million for cost increases on the four new ferries. The estimated completion date of first new ferry slips by two years from 2008 to 2010, with the final boat scheduled to be in service by 2012.
The budget puts all WSF Terminal construction projects on hold, but included $1 million for continuation of a joint Port Townsend -Keystone environmental impact work, including a study of what vessels would work for the run without major terminal relocations or expansions.
July, 2007 � Gov. Gregoire says replacing Steel Electrics is not a priority. �Gregoire said she's concentrating on building four new ferries - but not necessarily replacing the Steel Electrics.� Everett Herald.
September 27, 2007 - WSF reports that the four Steel Electric boats breakdown and cause $3.6 million in emergency repairs. WSF begins to analyze contingencies if the four Steel Electrics are forced out of service. Two of the vessels are currently out of service.
October 27, 2007 - WSF plans call for the four new ferries to replace the following vessels:
- Two Steel Electrics , the 64-auto Klickitat serving the San Juans and the and 59-auto Nisqually on standby;
- 48-auto Rhododendron (currently serving Point Defiance-Tahlequah);
- 87-auto Evergreen State (currently on standby);
- 144-auto Hyak (currently out of service).
WSF would continue operating two Steel Electric boats on the Port Townsend-Keystone route.
November 20, 2007 - WSF orders all four Steel Electric vessels tied up, shutting down service on the Port Townsend Keystone route.
November 21, 2007 - Governor Gregoire says replacing the four 80-year old ferries will be a top priority when state lawmakers meet early next year. She tells KIRO Radio she agreed with Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond's decision yesterday to keep the four "steel electric" ferries out of service because of hull corrosion. Gregoire apologized for the state's shutting down the Port Townsend-Keystone run on Thanksgiving weekend, but it's a matter of safety.
Source: 2006 Ferry Finance Study and Office of Program Research