WA governor’s $1B borrowing plan to buy new ferries sinks in Legislature
OLYMPIA [Tom Banse]—Budget writers in the Washington Legislature on Monday declared their intent to eventually buy more hybrid electric ferries to modernize the state ferry fleet. But newly unveiled House and Senate transportation spending proposals left at the dock a $1 billion borrowing request from the governor to pay the tab, raising doubts about when and how […]
2025 Transportation Recap: New Major Infrastructure Advances in Snohomish County
In 2025, Snohomish County and surrounding areas saw significant strides in transportation infrastructure amid ongoing funding challenges. Below are some of the highlights of 2025 regarding major transportation stories. Port of Everett’s New Marina Fuel Dock Now Open The Port of Everett’s new 500-foot Marina Fuel Dock, costing $8.1 million, is now open after replacing […]
TIB awards $152 million in grants, Rep Fey shares a sobering assessment of transportation finances
EVERETT—At its November 21 meeting, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board awarded 160 street and multi-modal improvement grants to local agencies totaling over $152 million. TIB received 330 applications from cities and counties, with requests for more than $335 million in funding. Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma), Chair of the House Transportation Committee, attended Friday’s meeting […]
It’s a go! Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding receives authorization to build three new hybrid-eclectic ferries for WA state
OLYMPIA—Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group has officially received a Notice to Proceed from Washington State Ferries (WSF) to build two, with an option for an additional third, 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries for Washington state, the company announced on August 15. “This is an exciting milestone in bringing new hybrid-electric ferries to our fleet,” said David Sowers, Washington State […]
Florida company selected to build hybrid-electric ferries for WSF, sparking local job concerns
Washington State has selected Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries for Washington State Ferries (WSF) at a cost of $714.5 million, a decision that prioritizes cost savings but has raised concerns about bypassing local shipbuilders and its impact on Washington’s economy. “After careful consideration and conversations with legislative leaders, I […]
Gov Ferguson announces ferry service expansions, including a new hybrid-electric boat
SEATTLE—Governor Bob Ferguson, joined by Chair of Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), Representative Greg Nance (D-Kitsap), and Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler, announced new service expansions to the Washington State Ferry system Thursday, June 13, including a second boat to the Seattle-Bremerton route beginning this weekend. “We are a ferry dependent community. And for […]
New Economic Benefits study confirms building new hybrid ferries in-state good for Washington economy
EVERETT – A new independent study by Pennsylvania-based Martin Associates confirms the economic value of building the new Washington State Ferries hybrid fleet in-state, showing that each ferry constructed in the state would generate 1,298 jobs and $31.9 million in state and local taxes. Washington State Ferries, which operates the largest ferry system in the […]
Marysville-based Echandia slated to begin full-fledged manufacturing by Q3 this year
MARYSVILLE—Maritime electrification company Echandia is set to begin full-fledged manufacturing in Marysville, under the Build America Buy America Act and Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) standards, by Q3 of this year. Echandia was founded by Magnus Eriksson in 2018. Erikkson had worked in the battery industry for quite some time prior, always on the search of […]
At the Brink: Inslee issues $1.5 million emergency funding to restore San Juan ferry service
During a meeting with San Juan Island leaders, residents and businesses on Tuesday, September 17, Governor Jay Inslee announced he is issuing $1.5 million in emergency and short-term funding to restore critical ferry transportation networks throughout the San Juan Islands. Due to crewing challenges, the Interisland route has been the least reliable in the system, […]
WA scuttles $200,000 sale of two retired state ferries to Ecuador
Washington’s nearly two-year effort to unload a pair of retired state ferries ran aground this week as officials with Washington State Ferries announced on September 5 that the agreement to sell the Elwha and Klahowya for $100,000 each to Nelson Armas who planned to tow them to Ecuador to be scrapped. This might turn out to […]
