Next year, look for 3 new Washington State Ferries, one like the 50-car Steilacoom II and other two will be similar to the Steel Electrics…..The catch? No more than 100 cars and must be built in Washington State and will only be used on the Port Towsend – Keystone route.
State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond has said a request for proposals from ship builders will go out Friday with bids due back within 30 days. Bidders must provide cost estimates for building between one and three vessels.
The new 50-car boat will be in service on the PT – Keystone route until sea trials are completed on the first actual (bigger boat) replacement for the Port Townsend – Keystone route. The Steilacoom II will return back to it’s normal route. The second big boat will serve the Port Townsend – Keystone route and the 50-car boat will then move to the Point Defiance route.
Still no official word on the three new 144-car ferries and their status.
More information is available on the Everett Herald.
http://heraldnet.com/article/20080214/NEWS01/579870067&news01ad=1#Gregoire.signs.law.for.new.ferries