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Washington State Transportation Commission News

14 Sep 2016

WSDOT Christens New Ferry Chimacum

WSF’s third Olympic Class vessel, M/V Chimacum, will will replace an older vessel on the Seattle/Bremerton route in 2017. (Photo: WSDOT)

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) christened Chimacum, the third Olympic Class vessel to join the Washington State Ferries (WSF) fleet. The ceremony took place at Vigor's Harbor Island Shipyard in Seattle, and marked the vessel’s final stage of construction and its preparation for sea trials. In a traditional maritime ceremony, Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary Lynne Griffith broke a bottle of champagne to officially welcome the new ferry to the fleet. Gov.

19 Mar 2016

Newest Washington State Ferry: M/V Suquamish

On Wednesday, the Washington State Transportation Commission announced that the fourth ferry in our Olympic Class will be named Suquamish. Ferry names were suggested through a public process, and narrowed down to three for the Commission’s consideration. Suggestions are judged based on their statewide significance and representation of Washington’s image and culture. The name Suquamish was selected over Cowlitz or Sammamish. Suquamish is fitting because contemporary ferry routes traverse the historic Suquamish canoe travel corridors. The Commission reminded that the new ferry schedule begins this Sunday, March 20. Their website (http://www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/) provides the correct sailing times! With this new season comes the return of service from Anacortes to Sidney, BC.

28 Dec 2015

WSF Orders Fourth Olympic Class Ferry

The second Olympic class ferry, M/V Samish, undergoing sea trials in April 2015. (Photo: WSF)

Washington State Ferries (WSF) will start 2016 with construction of a new Olympic Class ferry, after signing a Notice to Proceed last week with shipbuilder Vigor Industrial for work on its fourth 144-vehicle ferry. Construction begins in January, with delivery scheduled for mid-2018. Along with the Tokitae, Samish and Chimacum, the fourth Olympic Class ferry is part of a series built to replace four of the state’s oldest ferries built during the 1950s and 1960s. “Our top priority is keeping the ferry system safe and reliable for the millions of commuters…

01 Sep 2014

FTA Approves WSF Ferry Terminal Plans

In the latest Washington State Ferries Weekly Update, Capt. George A. The 60-year-old Mukilteo ferry terminal is one step closer to replacement. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has signed a 'Record of Decision' allowing WSF to design and construct a new Mukilteo ferry terminal. Thank you to all of our project partners, consulting tribes, and the public for collaborating to reach this milestone. We’re looking forward to building a safe and efficient new terminal that opens the Mukilteo waterfront and improves multimodal connections. This week, we signed the 'Notice to Proceed' document for construction of the third Olympic-Class 144-car ferry. Work will begin late this year.

02 Jul 2013

WSTC to Seek Public View on Proposed Fare Increases

WSF's 'Walla-Walla': Photo courtesy of WSF

Aross-the-board proposed ferry fare increases: Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) to hold public consultations. The increase is necessary to ensure the state meets the ferry-fare-revenue target set by the Legislature in the recently enacted 2013 - 2015 transportation budget. The commission is seeking public comment on the proposal during the coming weeks and plans to make a final decision during its meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at Union Station in Seattle.

19 Jun 2012

WA 144-car Ferries Named ’Olympic’

SEATTLE – The new class of 144-car Washington state ferries currently under construction will be named after a beloved Washington landmark, the Olympics. The winning name, Olympic, was selected by Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond after a contest among Washington State Department of Transportation employees resulted in more than 130 submissions. “I loved the mountain range theme,” said Hammond. “You can see the Olympic mountains from any ferry route in our system,” said Assistant Secretary David Moseley.

20 Apr 2010

Construction of Second New WSDOT Ferry

Construction of the state’s second Kwa-di Tabil Class (64-car) ferry officially got underway April 19 at Todd Pacific Shipyards (Todd) in Seattle. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Secretary Paula Hammond and Assistant Secretary for Washington State Ferries (WSF) David Moseley were on hand to help Todd officials commemorate the event. Secretary Hammond struck the first arc weld on the keel signifying the start of construction of the second vessel of the class. “These new ferries represent progress toward a more reliable ferry system, which is critical for the economic prosperity of ferry communities,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary.

23 Jun 2006

Fuel Prices Drive Ferry Fares Up

Rising fuel costs may mean another fare hike for ferry riders. The Washington State Transportation Commission last week directed the ferry system to cover a $10 million shortfall blamed on the high cost of diesel fuel. Fare increases between 5 percent and 20 percent are now under consideration, as well as capital improvement cutbacks and asking the state Legislature for more money. The WSF Tariff Advisory Committee will likely convene soon to review WSF’s finances and possibly recommend increased ticket prices. Riders last month saw a 6 percent increase. According to Bainbridge Island Ferry Advisory Committee, WSF has hiked fares by about 70 percent since 2000. That was the year voters approved Initiative 695, which slashed the state motor-vehicle excise tax to $30.

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