Ferry ramp work faces delays

 

January 29, 2015



When Wahkiakum County's new ferry arrives for duty at the end of February, it will carry light loads for a while.

For a variety of reasons, upgrades to the ramps at Puget Island and Westport, Ore., landings won't be completed, Wahkiakum County Public Works Director Pete Ringen said last week.

And the ramps may not be completely ready until March, possibly April, he said.

Clatsop County is rebuilding the Westport ramp to accommodate the new, larger ferry. Ringen said the contractor experienced delays in approval of permits needed for the work.

Also, they found that the subcontractor building the new ramp didn't receive the order in time to complete fabrication by February.

"They (the contractor) were really behind the eight ball from the git-go," Ringen told the Wahkiakum County board of commissioner on January 20.

Next week, the contractor plans to shift ferry traffic to a temporary landing so major work can start on the regular landing.

This will require a closure of ferry service, Ringen said January 27.

The timing will be announced later this week, Ringen said, and the duration will depend on how well the work progresses.

The contractor will have to do similar work on the Puget Island landing which will also require a temporary closure of ferry service. That could occur in March, Ringen said.

Through the construction, the new ferry, the "Oscar B.," will be able to transport cars, pickups and other small vehicles. Large trucks will have to wait for the upgraded ramps.

The county will host a ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the Oscar B. on March 14.

Marsha LaFarge, the commission's clerk of the board, is helping coordinate the program. She said the date was chosen to accommodate the appearance of Senator Patty Murray and Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Buetler.

Organizers have also invited Senator Maria Cantwell, the state representatives and senator from District 19, and also officials from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

"They've all really helped with the funding," Ringen said.

 

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