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Shaw Island ferry terminal load limits imposedposted 05/07/03
"We have a project underway to replace the movable transfer span, towers, wingwalls, the waiting building and the electrical system," explained Russ East, Terminal Engineering Director. "The load limits are precautionary in nature only and will be in effect until the project is completed in November. Construction on the project will begin in September." All commercial vehicles that depart and arrive at the Shaw Terminal that are in excess of 60,000 lb. will be required to have a WSF Ferry Travel Approval as mandated in the Washington State Commercial Vehicle Guide. The approval may be obtained by calling 206.583.2310. Transportation budget restores Shaw terminal moneyposted 04/27/03
"Members of the House bipartisan work group on ferries had asked for the numbers two months ago," Morris explained. "Unfortunately, the Washington State Ferries thought they had sent the information when they had not. Once we got the information the requirement for funding was removed," Morris said. Questions were raised over the $10 million price tag for rebuilding the Shaw Island Ferry Terminal, particularly after the terminal at Sidney, B.C. was rebuilt for a third of the cost -- $3 million. "Four new ferries are authorized for construction," the four-term lawmaker said. "At a time when the economy is soft, well-paying maritime construction jobs in the next two years will definitely help our economy," Morris added. "This budget recognizes the work of WSF Director Mike Thorne’s 5+5+5 plan and augments it with new revenue," Morris said, "We have finally started to stop the bleeding at WSF caused by the passage of $30 car tabs," he added. "Working with the Senate has been disappointing. Maybe it is their length of time in Olympia but they were consistent defenders of the bureaucracy and a foe to innovation," Morris added. In addition to funding the Shaw Terminal, the four billion dollar statewide transportation plan also includes funding for rebuilding the Anacortes terminal, $15 million for the Friday Harbor terminal, and $1.2 million to widen HWY 20 between Fredonia and I-5. Senate approves its version of transportation planposted 04/18/03
"Ferries are the only way to get to part of my district," said Spanel. "For those who live in the islands, they are highways. In this budget we provide enough money to continue offering the service that our ferry riders depend on as a lifeline to the mainland." The Senate's 10-year, $4.1 billion new revenue proposal includes a one-time 5-cent increase in the state gas tax, a 15 percent gross-weight fee increase for commercial trucks and motor homes, and a 0.3 percent sales tax on motor vehicles. All three would take effect July 1. Ferries would receive $298 million for the following improvements:
To assure that the new revenue is well spent, Spanel noted, the Senate has already passed several House and Senate measures to make the state Department of Transportation (DOT) more efficient and accountable. The Senate proposals that were approved April 17, 2003 were amended onto the House of Representatives' version of the funding plan House Bill 2231 and the construction project list HB 1163, and now return to the House for its concurrence. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn April 27, 2003. Legislators question cost/benefit of WSF serving Shaw Islandposted 04/17/03
"We asked them repeatedly for the figures," he said. "They didn’t submit them and that’s why the item was dropped." Morris said the house will authorize the funds if the analysis shows the terminal upgrade is the most cost effective way to serve Shaw Island. It might be more cost-effective to provide a shuttle service between Shaw and Orcas Island, Morris said. Some of the legislators thought San Juan County should use the Capron funds to pay for improvements to the Shaw Island ferry terminal. In 1935, legislation was passed which created the Capron funds as a way to give the county the gas tax collected in the county. This was done because the county did not have any state highways. Morris said other legislators believe that justification went away in 1941, when the state purchased the ferry system which is part of the state highway system. He predicted the Capron funds will likely go away within the next 10 years, as more people believe the justification no longer exists. "It is a huge subsidy that isn't available anywhere else," he said. "That's why the San Juans have lower property tax rates than other counties in the state." Morris said, "I have worked and am working to get the Shaw Proviso removed and actually got the Capron Proviso removed." The House Transportation Bill does not include funding for the Anacortes terminal improvements. Morris said the legislature wants WSF to figure out how it plans to increase revenue before it builds buildings. Part of WSF CEO Mike Thorne’s plan for the ferry system is to increase revenue 5 percent per year through various means such as adding retail operations at terminals. Morris said, " WSF is yet to reconcile its 5-5-5 (5 percent fare increases, 5 percent reduction in costs, 5 percent increased revenue) with its building plan. We're pushing it back until they have a revenue plan." Funding for passenger-only ferries was included in the bill. Morris said when the legislature examined the reasons the system was "hemorraghing," they found three reasons.
The legislators also took a holistic approach to the issue. If passenger-only service ended, there would be more congestion on I-5 and a need for more roads. Funding for year-round service to Sidney, B.C. was also included in the transportation bill. This winter service was shut down for two months while the Sidney dock was repaired. WSF plans to shut down Sidney service every winter from now on and completely dropping the run in 2009. Part of the reason is the cost of equipping ferries to meet U.S. Coast Guard Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. The legislators want all future ferries to be built to SOLAS standards. Murray said the Coast Guard would waive the SOLAS requirements in the meantime for boats going to Sidney, B.C. If the requirement was waived, WSF would have more flexibility in scheduling. As it is now, only the Elwha and the Evergreen State can do the Sidney run. Morris believes capacity to the San Juans would actually increase under the legislator's scenario. San Juan Ferry Advisory Chair Bob Distler had a different take on the house bill. He believed year-found service to Sidney would adversely impact capacity in the San Juans. He expressed his concerns in a letter to Morris. Distler outlined his opinion of the house bill to the Board of County Commissioners during their April 15, 2003 meeting. "How can you not do Anacortes and Shaw and spend $20 million on passenger only service and $3.5 million on the Sidney run? I am astonished Morris didn’t take time to talk to the FAC or you (BOCC)." In an interview April 16, 2003 Morris said it is a "two-way street" "Darcie doesn’t talk to me before she speaks to the legislature." He noted the FAC is an advisory committee for the commissioners. It would be appropriate for them to speak to the BOCC which could contact legislators. Distler encouraged the commissioners to contact Senators Mary Margaret Haugen and Harriet Spanel. The Senate has not approved its transportation bill yet. Once it does, the legislators will tackle a compromise bill. Morris noted the house bill is is the first bill in the last 13 years that includes new revenue. The revenue would come from a 4 -cent per gallon gas tax increase. Shaw terminal will close for four days in fallposted 03/11/03
Construction of the $5 million Shaw terminal reconstruction project will begin in September 2003. Limited service will be available September 21 through November 7 and from November 12 through 19. During those weeks, service will be limited to two morning and three evening sailings each weekday. Weekend service will not be affected. The terminal will close completely November 8 through 11, 2003. The reconstruction project includes: replacing the movable transfer span, associated lifting equipment, support towers, wingwalls, the waiting building and the electrical system. The wooden trestle will also be refurbished. WSF Project Management and Terminal Planning Manager Joel Colby and WSF Public Affairs Coordinator Celia Schorr met with the San Juan County Commissioners Monday, March 10, 2003 to discuss the project. Colby said WSF staff determined the cost of offering passenger service was prohibitive. The estimates were based on using a 30-passenger boat. The $80,000 figure covered a 10 day contract. In addition to the cost, WSF would have to obtain permits and licenses to use the facility because of eelgrass at the Orcas dock, he said. Commissioner John Evans said, "You could do this with hiring one of the whale watch boats. You don't need any big complicated piece of equipment." Commissioner Rhea Miller said people will plan ahead but there are always unforeseen circumstances, such as a death in a family, which would require people to travel during the closure. "You can't fly in and out of Shaw," she said. County Public Works Director Jon Shannon suggested a solution for passengers if WSF cannot provide service. "We could put a county boat at the nun's dock for four days, and run to the Orcas landing. From my perspective that should be more than enough." County Emergency Coordinator Carl Poschman was concerned about the possibility of a wildland fire on Shaw Island during the closure. "I'm concerned about the tail end of wildland fire season," he said. "We somehow need to find a way to get firetrucks onto Shaw if necessary." He told the BOCC he would discuss with the district fire chiefs the possibility of staging a firetruck on Shaw before the closure. Shannon, Poschman and the commissioners agreed it would be necessary to have a barge available if equipment needed to be taken to Shaw Island. Evans said, "Maybe arrangements could be made to have a barge available within two or three hours, so WSF is not paying someone for dwell time." Colby and Schorr agreed to ask WSF to take another look at the passenger shuttle and the barge issues. They will report back to the commissioners in three weeks. |
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