Keystone ferry bill signed into law

OLYMPIA — A bill sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, directing the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to construct new vessels for the Keystone – Port Townsend route was signed into law today by Governor Chris Gregoire.

“This is an important first step towards fixing our neglected ferry system,” said Haugen, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “I’m looking forward to getting appropriate vessels onto the Keystone – Port Townsend run, as well as holding Washington State Ferries accountable for their operations and maintenance plans.”

Senate Bill 6794 requires the construction of up to three ferries for service on routes like Keystone that require vessels with a car-carrying capacity of no more than 100 vehicles.

The bill does not designate a specific vessel design, and while Haugen is glad to have a leased vessel from Pierce County filling in on the Keystone run she has been pushing to make sure that the ferries that are eventually built are up to the task of providing safe and reliable service across Admiralty Inlet.

“I think we used good judgment in drafting a bill that didn’t lock us into a specific ferry design,” said Haugen. “I’ve recommended that we send ferry personnel with direct experience on the Keystone route to check out the Island Home ferry, which was built here in Puget Sound and is currently operating in Nantucket.”

Gov. Chris Gregoire gives the pen used to sign Senate Bill 6794 to Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen during a bill signing ceremony in Olympia

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