Date:
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Contact:
Joy Goldenberg, Customer and Community Relations Manager, 206-515-3411
MUKILTEO - Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) / Washington State Ferries (WSF) has $5.1 million to spend on the Mukilteo Multi-Modal Ferry Terminal Project for the next biennium - July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009. Most of this funding will be used to move the National and State Environmental Policy Acts (NEPA/SEPA) environmental process forward.
Originally the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) was to be released this summer for public review and comment. Now the draft EIS is delayed until 2009 due to increased cost estimates for both alternatives, and the State Legislature's passing of the ferry finance bill, which requires that WSF complete several tasks over the next two years that may have an effect on plans for the new terminal in Mukilteo.
Recently received cost estimates for the alternatives range approximately from $220 to $310 million. "These costs are unaffordable when compared to the project funding levels," said WSF Executive Director Mike Anderson, "During the next year, WSF is going to take a serious look at the alternatives and pursue revised designs that would reduce overall costs."
Factors for the higher cost estimates include inflation and escalation of material costs. Earlier cost estimates assumed a 2008 start date of construction. The current estimates assume construction would start in 2011. Another contributing factor is weaker than expected soil strength at the new location. The weaker soil, that in some locations is anticipated to be up to 80 feet in depth, necessitates more expensive foundations. The new cost estimates also took into account risk contingencies given the history of the new site.
The second key factor for the delayed release of the Draft EIS is the 2007 ferry financing legislation, which requires WSF to perform several tasks over the next two years. These tasks include conducting market surveys, evaluating terminal design standards, and defining operational and pricing strategies. "The culmination of this work at the end of two years is a Long-Range Plan for WSF. We want to stay true to the intent of this legislation and not get out ahead by identifying a preferred alternative for the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal," states Mike Anderson, "We will continue to work with the City of Mukilteo, our project partners, and the community as we learn more about how this information relates to plans for Mukilteo."
For more information on the Mukilteo Multi-Modal Ferry Terminal, please visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Ferries/mukilteoterminal/
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