Date:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Contact:
Becky Hixson, Hood Canal Bridge Communications, 253-305-6450
Joe Irwin, Hood Canal Bridge Communications, 253-305-6412
TACOMA – After careful review of both water shuttle route options and almost 4,000 survey responses, the Washington State Department of Transportation is moving forward with plans to use the South Point to Lofall route during the upcoming May-June 2009 bridge closure.
“The level of public participation in this process has been amazing,” said Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. “Ultimately, the public opinion lined up with everything we know about the costs, the risks, and the facts and figures for the South Point to Lofall route.”
While there are drivers who wanted the Port Ludlow to Kingston water shuttle route, the preferred option proved to be a water shuttle from South Point to Lofall. With fuel prices on the rise, the South Point to Lofall option offers less financial risk to the project due to the shortness of the route and the number of boats needed. When construction expenses and closure-related costs for the community – in terms of time and dollars – were calculated for the two options, the net difference was found to be about $1 million.
“The local chambers of commerce have taken the interests of their constituents to heart and passionately advocated for those options,” said Kevin Dayton, Olympic Region Administrator. “We look forward to continuing partnerships with them as we both focus on getting ready for the closure.”
Nearly 4,000 survey responses were received, with 42 percent saying that South Point to Lofall met user needs better. The proposal for Port Ludlow-Kingston garnered support from 32 percent of respondents. Twenty-six percent indicated neither option would help them during the closure.
Survey respondents said that their top priority is a reliable crossing schedule and their top concern is being inconvenienced or late. The South Point to Lofall option addresses these issues by using two boats to maintain a 20-minute schedule and 40-minute service even with one boat.
More than 1,500 respondents indicated they are interested in using the passenger-only water shuttle. Based on this knowledge, having ample parking on both sides of the canal is important.
Written comments showed that people want to stay in their cars, and while the Port Townsend to Edmonds vehicle ferry would allow this, WSDOT is not currently in a position to offer this option. WSDOT will continue to look at what options are feasible. The Hood Canal Bridge retrofit and replacement project will take place from May-June 2009 and will improve the existing structure, making it wider, safer and more reliable.
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