(WSDOT September photo of ferry-building at Todd)
Washington State Ferries announced last week that Harbor Island-based Todd Shipyards had submitted the only bid – for $114 million – to build new state ferries – and today, WSF says it’s officially given Todd the contract – read on for the announcement:

Washington State Department of Transportation’s Ferries
Division (WSF) announced today, Oct. 13, that it is awarding a contract
to Todd Pacific Shipyards to build two additional 64-car ferries.

Todd Shipyards submitted a $114 million bid on Thursday, October 8 to
build two more 64-car ferries. With the contract award, Todd will begin
constructing the second and third ferries in this new class of vessels.
WSF awarded a contract to Todd to construct the first 64-car ferry in
December 2008. That vessel is under construction and scheduled to go
into service on the Port Townsend/Keystone route in late-summer 2010.

“This contract award is expected to sustain nearly 400 family wage
jobs.” said. Gov. Chris Gregoire. “These locally built ferries will
improve the reliability of auto-passenger ferry service to the
communities they will serve.”

The timeline for vessel construction is approximately 20 months each for
the second and third vessels. WSF must exercise the option to construct
the third vessel in the contract, the fourth overall, no later than May
31, 2011. The fourth vessel would be either a 64-car ferry or 144-car
ferry depending on the availability of funds.

“This is an important next step in the process of replacing our aging
fleet and improving the safety of our ferry system.” Washington
Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said. “While the question remains
on how to fund the ferry system for the long term, I am pleased that we
are able to proceed with construction of these much needed ferries.”

These additional 64-car ferries will be similar in design to the one
currently under construction with capacity for up to 750 passengers. The
next steps include a signed contract and contract security returned from
Todd Shipyards. Once those documents are received, the state will issue
a notice to proceed with construction.

“I greatly appreciate the Governor’s leadership as we move forward on
the ambitious construction of these new vessels.” said David Moseley,
Assistant Secretary, WSDOT Ferries Division. “Constructing these ferries
brings us closer to creating a ferry system that meets the needs of our
customers throughout Puget Sound.”