PORT LUDLOW — The state Department of Transportation is going ahead with plans to build a temporary ferry terminal at South Point to serve passengers crossing Hood Canal while the floating bridge is closed for eight weeks in spring 2006.
A transit mitigation task force met Wednesday with state officials to discuss needs connected with the passenger-only ferries, which will sail through Hood Canal bridge to Port Gamble every 20 minutes during peak hours.
“Our priorities are commuters going to work and medical needs,” said T.J. Nedrow, planner for Transportation’s Olympic region. “And where dollars allow, we’ll look at enhancements for tourism.”
The state plans to put four 150-passenger ferries on the crossing in order to move an estimated 600 people across the canal every hour, Nedrow said.
Buses will transport passengers five miles from a parking lot at the Fred Hill Materials Inc. Shine Pit to the South Point terminal.
No fees will be charged for the ferry, and none is planned for the shuttle service, according to Dave Turissini, Jefferson Transit manager.
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