Contact Information

  • Governor's Office, 360-902-4111

  • Alt Contact:  Washington State Ferries: Marta Coursey, 206-515-3918

Governor Gregoire Announces Next Step to Secure New Ferries

For Immediate Release: July 3, 2007

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced the next step to secure new ferries in Washington. Washington State Ferries has accepted a Notice of Intent for a Joint Single Proposal from three area shipyards � Todd Pacific Shipyards, J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Inc. - to build four new 144-vehicle ferries.

�I am committed to making sure that Washingtonians have reliable ferries available for commuting and recreation and am pleased that these competing shipyards came together on a proposal that will benefit our citizens,� said Governor Chris Gregoire. �The construction of four new ferries will move us toward a goal to renew the state�s fleet.�

The three shipyards provided a letter of intent on June 13 to submit a joint proposal. After careful review, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) / Washington State Ferries (WSF) accepted the intent for proposal.

�Although an encouraging beginning, there is still more to do before the first ferry comes into service,� said Mike Anderson, Executive Director of WSF. �Now WSDOT/WSF and the prime contractor � Todd Pacific Shipyards � will begin to negotiate the terms and conditions of the contract. I am hopeful that this is the first of many positive announcements with respect to this process and we applaud Governor Gregoire for her leadership on this effort.�

Funding for the new vessel program was first received in 2003. In 2007, $347.6 million was approved for building the new vessels. The four new vessels will be used system-wide.

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