State Ferries get less than 1% of federal transportation funds
The Seattle Times reported on July 15 that:
“The sole project in Washington state approved by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is the $750,000 construction of a terminal for the Guemes Island ferry, operated by Skagit County. The amount represents barely more than 1 percent of the federal money allocated.”
“Washington’s request for $26 million to replace the Anacortes ferry terminal was snubbed, as was a request for $9 million to refurbish the ferry Hyak, now serving the Seattle-Bremerton route.
“Tuesday’s announcement was a jolt to Sen. Patty Murray, who had played a key role in getting money for ferry projects included in the nearly $800 billion federal stimulus package that Congress passed earlier this year.”
Although the Washington State Ferry system is the largest in the country, Washington ranked second-to-last in the funding from the federal stimulus funds for transportation.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, meanwhile, announced that the funds would be distributed as follows:
1. Michigan: $8.3 million for work at the Detroit City Dock and St. Mary’s River Ferry Dock.
2. Texas: $7.2 million for new boat to Port Aransas.
3. Maine: $6.8 million for a new boat for Casco Bay Island and dock work at Lincolnville.
4. New York: $6.5 million for work on the Lake Champlain ferry and Staten Island Ferry.
5. Oregon: $3.2 million for a new boat and other work on the Buena Vista Ferry across the Willamette River near Albany.
18. Washington: $750,000 for a new ferry terminal for the Guemes Island ferry in Skagit County.
On July 15, Senator Murray announced that US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who was in Bremerton last week, had promised to review the allocation within 24 hours and respond.
To read the complete article in the Seattle Times, go to http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009471834_ferrystimulus15m.htm
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