Murray Applauds Ferry Funding for Washington State

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the release of $3.2 million from the Recovery Act to pay for vessel preservation activities including renovation, replacement and upgrading vessels in the Jumbo, Evergreen State, Issaquah and Super classes. This investment will create local jobs and will increase the system’s ability to provide reliable and responsible ferry service to customers. As chair of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Murray worked to include ferry funding in the Recovery Act.



“As a ferry rider and Senator representing the largest ferry system in the country, I know that Washington state’s ferries are a critical part of our transportation system,” said Senator Patty Murray. “Washington state families and commuters understand the importance of ferries, and this funding will create jobs and help our commuters get to where they need to go.”



Washington State Ferries will use this funding for vessel preservation activities for an anticipated three to five additional vessels.  Vessel preservation activities may include structural system preservation, interior preservation, piping preservation or replacement, propulsion system preservation, major mechanical/electrical systems preservation, communication, navigation, lifesaving systems preservation and other misc. preservation work.



The project activities will include investments that renovate, replace and upgrade the types of vessel systems described above for vessels in the Jumbo, Evergreen State, Issaquah and Super Classes.  The scheduling of vessels is based upon dry dock availability.



Murray has been working hard to make sure that ferry funding is an important part of national transportation spending. Just yesterday, Murray pushed Secretary LaHood to support ferry projects like the ones in Washington state.



Last year, Senator Murray worked to secure $7.6 million for the Washington state ferry system. Murray also joined with Congressman Larsen to introduce major legislation to increase funding for Washington state’s ferries and ferry systems across the country.