Seattle-Port Townsend ferry proposal advances
PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. (AP) - Proposed passenger ferry service between Seattle and Port Townsend is one step closer to becoming real.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray's office says a Senate subcommittee has approved $1 million for the high-speed service.
Murray spokesman Evan Miller tells the Peninsula Daily News that the money's not guaranteed. But he notes that the appropriation now goes to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Committee - which Murray chairs - and then to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where she is the senior member.
Murray's office announced the approval Thursday, saying that the port "will receive funding for the acquisition of a vessel to establish high-speed passenger-only ferry service between Port Townsend and downtown Seattle."
"The proposed high-speed passenger ferry link between Port Townsend and downtown Seattle Colman Dock will promote and offer commuters, visitors and residents a number of new modes of travel that reduce costs and environmental impacts associated with vehicle travel, enhance the regional mobility of Puget Sound as well as the economic benefits to several cities and counties," Murray's announcement said.
"This is a priority for her," Miller said of the Democratic senator.
"Especially now, it is critical to steer funding into transportation projects that create jobs and boost local economies in our own backyard on the Peninsula," Murray said in a prepared statement.
Ultimately, the Senate and House would pass partner bills for the appropriation, which would then be signed by President Obama, Miller said.
"Establishing this passenger-only ferry service is an important step towards ensuring the long-term vibrancy and health of Jefferson County and the region," said Larry Crockett, port executive director.
"Not only will this service support sustainable economic growth and the well being of our citizens, it does so in a way that is environmentally sensitive, consistent with our historic character, and enjoys the support of a broad cross-section of our community."
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Some material in this story is from KOMO's media partner, the Peninsula Daily News.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray's office says a Senate subcommittee has approved $1 million for the high-speed service.
Murray spokesman Evan Miller tells the Peninsula Daily News that the money's not guaranteed. But he notes that the appropriation now goes to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Committee - which Murray chairs - and then to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where she is the senior member.
Murray's office announced the approval Thursday, saying that the port "will receive funding for the acquisition of a vessel to establish high-speed passenger-only ferry service between Port Townsend and downtown Seattle."
"The proposed high-speed passenger ferry link between Port Townsend and downtown Seattle Colman Dock will promote and offer commuters, visitors and residents a number of new modes of travel that reduce costs and environmental impacts associated with vehicle travel, enhance the regional mobility of Puget Sound as well as the economic benefits to several cities and counties," Murray's announcement said.
"This is a priority for her," Miller said of the Democratic senator.
"Especially now, it is critical to steer funding into transportation projects that create jobs and boost local economies in our own backyard on the Peninsula," Murray said in a prepared statement.
Ultimately, the Senate and House would pass partner bills for the appropriation, which would then be signed by President Obama, Miller said.
"Establishing this passenger-only ferry service is an important step towards ensuring the long-term vibrancy and health of Jefferson County and the region," said Larry Crockett, port executive director.
"Not only will this service support sustainable economic growth and the well being of our citizens, it does so in a way that is environmentally sensitive, consistent with our historic character, and enjoys the support of a broad cross-section of our community."
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Some material in this story is from KOMO's media partner, the Peninsula Daily News.