Rendering of new 144-car ferry
July 2009
- Todd Pacific Shipyards and their subcontractor J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding have submitted a technical proposal to WSF, in accordance with the design-build contract awarded in December 2007. The technical proposal includes a preliminary design-build strategy and a construction plan.
- WSF is seeking funding to prepare the detailed design drawings necessary to build the vessels and is anticipating funding for construction of one or two ferries beginning in the 2011-2013 biennium.
- View new ferry photos and rendering.
Overview
WSF has a contract with Todd Pacific Shipyards for design and construction of one or two 144-car ferries.
Why is WSDOT
preparing to build new 144-car ferries?
WSF is moving forward to build new ferries to replace its aging fleet. Nine of WSF’s 20 auto-passenger ferries are between 40 and 60 years old and must be replaced in the next 20 years. The last new Washington State Ferry was put into service in 1999. The new 144-car vessel design will be based on the Issaquah class, which has proved the most versatile vessel in our fleet and has the most utility throughout the system.
The End Result
Building new ferries will improve the safety and efficiency of WSF’s fleet and will allow us to put a ferry on standby so that we can maintain service in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Project Benefits
Benefits from the new ferries will cascade throughout the system as older vessels are replaced. Building new ferries provides the opportunity to:
- Increase passenger comfort with better heating and ventilation, more internal seating and flexible seating configurations.
- Nominally increase capacity at minimal additional cost. This allows us to prepare for future population growth or increased peak period ridership during the 60-year expected life span of the ferry.
- Improve vessel design with room for a few more cars and trucks, and wider lanes for more efficient loading and improved passenger access to vehicles
- Improve safety with new emergency evacuation systems, advanced fire suppression, and two elevators for better accessibility.
- Minimize environmental impact with cleaner burning engines, low-emissions fuels, reduced risk of fuel spills, a hull design that reduces wake and quieter machinery.
- Reduce operating costs with better fuel efficiency.
What is the project timeline?
- December 2007 – WSF awarded design-build contract
- December 2008 - Todd and Martinac submitted technical proposal to WSF
The timeline for the design and construction of the 144-car ferries is dependent on the availability of funding. We are currently working to identify funding to proceed with the detailed design drawings necessary to build the vessels.
Financial Information
The Legislature originally approved funding for the 144-car ferries in 2003. We have already spent $56 million on design, engineering and procurement of machinery. This expenditure maintains project momentum and continuity in the design.
The currently projected design-build contract price is between $92 million and $114 million for each ferry. The actual total contract price will depend on the contractor’s price proposal and the results of the price negotiations required by SHB 2378.
The 2009-2011 transportation budget provides funding for storing and maintaining propulsion system machinery already manufactured for the vessels.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Laura Johnson
WSF Communications
2901 3rd Ave., Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 515-3913
WSFnewvesselproject@wsdot.wa.gov
back to top