Pierce County Ferry Projects | Public Works and Utilities

Project Update: April 1, 2012

The project is on schedule and within budget.

This week, doors and windows were installed, and workers placed the storage room flooring and office carpets.

Outside the building, the roof was finished, and the gutters and eave flashings were installed. Workers started to install siding and build columns.

Upcoming April work:

Steel guardrails are scheduled to be welded into place April 2
Installation of the linear wood ceiling begins April 27
Installation of siding will be completed
Columns will be finished
Interior floor tiles will be delivered the first week of April. Once the flooring is in, work will start on various interior features such as the wall tile, countertops, plumbing, and trim.

Photos

More Project Photos

Project Overview

The Steilacoom ferry terminal renovation includes interior updates, such as a rejuvenation of the bathrooms, updated finishes, new windows, doors and waiting room furniture, and more efficient office space. Also, WIFI access will be added and the ticketing system will be upgraded. Exterior improvements include updates to the exterior column finishes and railings.

Bids were opened Nov. 10, 2011 and West Coast Contracting was issued a notice to proceed Jan. 17, 2012. We plan to move operations back into the terminal the week of May 16, 2012.

Pierce County?s project team has completed the upgrades to the Information Systems, communications, security and ticketing systems.

Download the Steilacoom Ferry Terminal Renovation Information Sheet

Q&A

Steilacoom Ferry Terminal Renovation - Questions and Answers

1. Why is the County renovating the Ferry Terminal?
The Steilacoom Terminal was last renovated in 1986. Over the last several years the building has encountered increased maintenance, repairs and energy costs. Operations staff has shared a cramped office space with limited storage. The County conducted a survey in early 2010 to establish a priority list of the ferry patrons' needed and desired terminal improvements. The ferry patron comments emphasized the need to update the restrooms and modernize the terminal.

2. How is the project funded?
The Ferry budget sets aside preservation funds annually for preserving ferry facilities. This project will be funded by the Facility Preservation fund.

3. How much will the renovations cost?
Design, permitting and Construction estimates are under $500,000.

4. Will our ferry rates increase to fund this project?
Ferry rates may increase to cover the higher costs of fuel and higher vessel overhaul and dry docking costs. Your ferry rates will not increase to fund this project.

5. What is the construction schedule?
See Project Update Above

6. How will this project impact me during construction?
See Project Update Above

7. How will this project improve energy efficiency?
The resulting benefits this renovation will provide include energy efficiency that meets the currently adopted 2009 Energy Codes; upgraded materials will provide lower maintenance costs and decreased life cycle costs. Special consideration was given to materials that are sustainable, durable and affordable.

The existing windows are in poor condition and also do not meet the current energy ratings. The proposed windows will meet the current energy rating and provide additional viewing area.

8. Why is the terminal renovation scheduled during winter?
Several factors contributed to this project being completed in the winter instead of the summer. Originally this project bid in July with construction projected to begin after the Labor Day holiday weekend and finish before Christmas. Our goal is to schedule construction during the lowest ferry volume months and avoid holidays. The bids in July were rejected due to the high bid amounts. We modified the design and re-bid the project in November. The next best construction window now begins after New Years and will be completed before Memorial Weekend.

9. Why is there only one portable toilet?
We were only able to provide one portable restroom because there is limited space on the landing. State public access requirements limits the amount of temporary facilities we can provide. Once you get on the ferry, more restrooms are available on the passenger deck.

For more information email Pam Knauer or call 253-798-2592.

Completed Projects

Anderson Island Ferry Parking Lot Modifications - August, 2010

The Steilacoom Historical School District and Pierce County worked in partnership to improve the existing school bus stop and parking lot at the Anderson Island ferry terminal. Construction work began August 20, 2010 and was completed by the end of the month, before school started September 2.

Prior to the improvements, the school bus stop was at the intersection of Villa Beach Road and Yoman Road, adjacent to a bluff that drops off to the shoreline. In addition to the drop-off posing a potential safety risk for students, the former bus stop also increased traffic congestion during during ferry loading and unloading.

Improvements made include removal of existing planter boxes and the addition of a second approach to the parking lot that allows vehicles to enter/exit the lot while the school bus is loading or unloading. Some parking spaces were reconfigured.

Finishing touches include new signs and a rain garden.

The preferred design was selected at the AICAB ferry subcommittee meeting held June 17, 2010, attended by representatives from the county school district and AICAB.

The cost for engineering and construction was $37,258, equally shared between the county and the school district.

Christine Anderson Drydock 2010

The M/V Christine Anderson underwent its biannual USCG Inspection/Certification
March 22, 2010 for approximately 6 weeks.

Ferry Terminal Preservation - March 2010

March 9 through April 26, ferry system ramp preservation work took place at the Steilacoom, Ketron and Anderson Island landings. Work included repairs to a hydraulic cylinder and line boring of ramp hinges and hydraulic cylinder connections to improve function and extend the service life of the ferry ramp systems.

The project cost $71,000, with Federal Transit Authority (FTA) stimulus grant money financing $44,000 and county ferry budget funds paying the remaining $27,000. Quigg Brothers of Aberdeen, WA performed the work.