[PTChamber] Hood Canal Bridge Mitigation

[Tim]

Dear Chamber Members:

Noted below, is a letter the Port Townsend Chamber sent to Secretary  
of Transportation Paula Hammond. The letter recommends the Hood Canal  
Bridge closure mitigation plan, scheduled for May-June, 2009, operate  
passenger-only ferry service between Port Ludlow and Kingston instead  
of South Point-Lofall.

Based on Paula's comments at the Port Angeles Chamber luncheon  
yesterday (May 19th), WSDOT's decision for the mitigation plan is  
going to be based on what we as residents and business people would  
prefer.

Paula Hammond, along with WSDOT District Manager Kevin Dayton, have  
asked that we contact them and let them know what we would prefer. We  
believe this is our last best hope to persuade WSDOT to chose a  
mitigation plan that we believe will provide passenger-only ferry  
access between Kitsap and Jefferson/Clallam counties, as well as  
vehicle ferry access between Port Townsend and Edmonds.

Please review the attached letter and contact Paula and Kevin

Paula Hammond email: hammonp at wsdot.wa.gov

Kevin Dayton email: daytonk at wsdot.wa.gov

If possible, please provide a copy of your email to Paula and Kevin.

Thank you

Paula J. Hammond,  
P.E.                                                                     
                                               May 20, 2008
Secretary of Transportation
Washington State Department of Transportation
Transportation Building
PO Box 47300
Olympia, WA 98504-7300

Dear Ms. Hammond,

The board of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce wishes to convey  
its support for the alternate plan for passenger-only ferry service  
between Port Ludlow and Kingston and for establishing a Port Townsend- 
Edmonds auto ferry during the Hood Canal Bridge Closure in May-June  
2009.

We understand that the officials at Port Ludlow Associates and the  
Port of Kingston are willing to offer their properties to make this  
alternate plan a success.

There are many positive aspects to this plan:
•  Shoreline permits would not be required (as they are for the  
temporary Lofall location);
•  Existing Passenger-only ferry terminals and parking at both  
locations eliminate the need to design and construct
    temporary facilities at South Point and Lofall--by far, “greener”  
alternatives.
•  Vehicle parking and bus connections adjacent to the existing  
Passenger-only ferry terminal at both locations
    would significantly reduce the cost of temporary transit services.
•  We agree with WSDOT’s own notes under the Lessons Learned (SR 104  
Hood Canal Bridge August 2005
    Closure Analysis Mitigation Travel Demand Update December 21,  
2005) “To mitigate bridge closures, use
    passenger-only ferry routes that serve central locations to  
reduce uncertainty about the success of these routes.”

A Port Townsend-Edmonds auto ferry during the May-June 2009 Hood  
Canal Bridge closure is essential for mitigating the loss of business  
that will in fact occur. The bridge currently averages 25,000 vehicle  
trips per day and the WSDOT’s Lessons Learned report noted a  
significant portion of these travelers relied on the Port Townsend- 
Keystone route during the August, 2005 bridge closure. The restricted  
service of the Port Townsend-Keystone auto ferry has illustrated the  
dramatic need for commercial access to the I-5 corridor and Canada  
via Edmonds (i.e. Port Townsend Paper Corporation, Kingston Lumber,  
and other Olympic Peninsula and Whidbey Island commercial  
businesses). As you know, adverse weather conditions continue to be  
an issue on this route.  These larger companies have a major impact  
on the state of our local economy and are integral to the success of  
our independently owned businesses. In the past, a barrier to  
considering this route was the need for a reservation system. We are  
pleased that a system is now in place, and will be operational in  
time for this summer on the Port Townsend-Keystone route.

We believe the present plan for service between Shine and Lofall  
during May-June 2009 Bridge Closure is unduly expensive and creates  
infrastructure that is temporary. The multiple conveyance transfers  
required will be cumbersome, particularly for seniors, and those with  
mobility issues. Using the Port Ludlow-Kingston passenger only ferry  
service will save a minimum of $3.5 million in temporary  
infrastructure costs. Previous experience has demonstrated that this  
run can be successful. The money saved in foregoing temporary POF  
terminals and parking lots could be used to fund the Port Townsend- 
Edmonds auto ferry.

Thank you for your consideration and untiring work related to these  
transportation challenges, which are of crucial importance to the  
economic health of our Olympic Peninsula. We have faith that you have  
our best interests at heart, and we know that you are listening.

We appreciate all your efforts on our behalf.

Sincerely,



  
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