The first of five new electric hybrid ferries was supposed to come into service two years ago, but the original contract with Todd Shipyards, now Vigor, fell through. It was the only shipyard to bid on the contract but the price came in double what the state was expecting to pay.A major change this time around is the state can look outside of Washington for potential bidders.
“We’re looking across the country because we need to get a good price for ferry riders and for the state,” Rep. Fey told KIRO Newsradio in a recent interview. “We’ll see what comes from that.”If the contract stays on schedule, the first two boats could be on the water in 2028, with two more the following year and the fifth in 2030. This would be the first time since 1967 that boats built outside of Washington would enter the ferry service.
These new ferries will carry 160 cars, an upgrade from the current 144-car capacity. These first new boats are expected to serve the Mukilteo/Clinton route and the Seattle-Bremerton route.The seas are so rough right now that two cruise ships have had to anchor out in Elliot Bay and wait for tugboats to help them dock at Pier 91.Thousands are reeling from early morning power outages across Western Washington this morning as an atmospheric river floods the region with rainfall.
Public Health - Seattle and King County has reported a confirmed measles case at Sea-Tac Airport on May 10 and 11.A bad crash involving a motorhome and an ambulance shut down all lanes of I-5 south Sunday morning. Roads reopened around 9:30 a.m.The state's entire coastline is closed due to an"unprecedented" outbreak of shellfish poisoning that has sickened at least 20 people.