Date:  Monday, October 05, 2009

Contact: Al McCoy, Senior Budget Manager, 206-515-3761

SEATTLE – The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) has received a $2.3 million federal grant to retrofit vessel engines to produce fewer harmful emissions.

WSF participated in a national competition for the Federal Highway Administration’s Ferry Boat Discretionary funding program. This grant will be used to leverage existing funding in an effort to upgrade existing diesel engines throughout the fleet to burn less lubrication oil and produce fewer harmful emissions. WSF also recently received a $2.1 million federal grant as part of the Puget Sound Regional Council Surface Transportation Program/Congestion Mitigation Air Quality 2009 regional competition.

“This grant is great news for Washington State Ferries and for our environment,” said U.S. Senator Patty Murray. “These funds will put people to work today upgrading our ferries and will help us move toward a cleaner transportation system by supporting the use of new, clean-energy technology for our ferries.”

“WSDOT takes its role as an environmental steward very seriously, and we welcome this assistance from the federal government,” said Washington State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. “This grant funding will make a significant contribution to our efforts to reduce pollution in the Puget Sound region and make our vessels more energy efficient.”

Since 2003 WSF has been actively taking steps to reduce fleet diesel emissions while improving fuel conservation. The ferry system is one of the largest users of diesel fuel in the Puget Sound region, at approximately 17 million gallons per year. The diesel engine retrofit project will help to further improve efficiencies and will lead to improved air quality for the region.

WSF is the largest ferry system in the country, with a fleet of 22 vessels carrying nearly 23 million passengers and 10 million vehicles annually to 20 terminals throughout the Puget Sound region. For more information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

# # #

WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

< Back to News Home