Why is WSDOT building new 64-car ferries?
WSF is moving forward to build new ferries to replace its aging fleet. Nine of WSF’s 20 auto-passenger ferries are between 40 and 65 years old and must be replaced in the next 20 years. The last new Washington State Ferry was put into service in 1999. WSF has been without a state-owned ferry to serve the Port Townsend/Keystone route since November 2007. WSF has been leasing a ferry from Pierce County since January 2008 to serve this challenging route until new ferries can be built. The constraints of Keystone Harbor prevent the use of a larger ferry on this route. The End Result Building new vessels will improve the safety and efficiency of WSF’s fleet, to ensure safe, reliable service to our customers. Project Benefits The first two 64-car ferries will be assigned to the Port Townsend/Keystone route, restoring two-boat service with state-owned ferries to that route. The new vessels will reduce the number of weather cancellations on the Port Townsend / Keystone route and will allow us
