Washington State Ferries Vessels & Terminals - Terminal preservation backlog

FY2023

WSF terminal preservation backlog projections predict that 11.8% of systems will not be in a State of Good Repair after 10 years

If 100% of preservation funds as identified in the 2023 biennial budget session are programmed and utilized, WSF predicts 11.8% (by replacement cost) of the agency's terminal systems will not be in a SOGR by the end of FY2033. If the preservation funding level is reduced by 50%, the percentage of terminal assets not in SOGR is predicted to increase to 23.5% by the end of FY2033. A comparison of the two scenarios with the no-funding scenario (which would result in 35.2% of assets not in SOGR) illustrates the impact of the funding on the SOGR of the terminal systems.

These projections differ from the 2021-2022 projections because WSF reprioritized its 16-year program based on updated inspections, fiscal constraints, deliverability, a need for minimized service impacts, and updated cost estimates. The projections will likely change in the future as project costs increase and if adequate funding increases are not approved.

FY2022

WSF terminal preservation backlog projections predict 2.9% of systems will not be in State of Good Repair by end of FY2025

If 100% of preservation funds are programmed, WSF predicts 2.9% (by replacement cost) of the agency's terminal systems will not be in a SOGR by the end of FY2025. At this funding level, the rate of terminal assets not in SOGR is expected to be 1% by the end of FY2031.

If the preservation funding level is reduced by 50%, the percentage of terminal assets not in a SOGR is predicted to increase to 7.1% by the end of FY2025. With no funding, the percentage of terminal assets not in a SOGR is predicted to increase to 11.3%.

If WSF's terminals funding is reduced, there will likely be a reduction in service reliability and an increase in maintenance costs. WSF is currently working to illustrate the impacts of funding shortfalls and the strategic approaches it plans to take to provide a safe and reliable transportation system.

FY2021

WSF terminal preservation backlog projections predict 6.8% of systems will not be in State of Good Repair by end of FY2023

If 100% of preservation funds are programmed, WSF predicts that 6.8% (by replacement cost) of the agency's terminal systems will not be in a SOGR by the end of FY2023. At this funding level, the rate of terminal assets not in SOGR is expected to be 1% by the end of FY2031.

If the preservation funding level is reduced by 50%, the percentage of terminal assets not in a SOGR is predicted to increase to 15.9% by the end of FY2031. With no funding, the percentage of terminal assets not in a SOGR almost doubles and is predicted to increase to 30.9%.

If WSF's terminals funding is reduced, there will likely be a reduction in service reliability and an increase in maintenance costs. WSF is currently working to illustrate the impacts of funding shortfalls and the strategic approaches it plans to take to provide a safe and reliable transportation system.

FY2020

WSF terminal preservation backlog projections indicate 3.6% decrease by FY2025

WSF's terminal preservation backlog is projected to be equivalent to 6.2% of the cost of replacing all 722 of the agency's terminal systems by the end of FY2021. At funding levels in the 2021 budget submittal, WSF's backlog is projected to decrease to 3.6% by the end of the FY2025, then increase to 5.9% by the end of the FY2029. Risk-based life cycle cost analysis balances the use of capital preservation funding and maintenance funding to maintain the assets in a SOGR at the least possible cost.

WSF recently replaced an aging ferry terminal at Mukilteo, and another major project is under construction at Seattle terminal that is scheduled for completion in 2023. Upon completion, the terminal preservation backlog will decrease to its lowest projected level over the upcoming 10-year period.

If the funding level is reduced by 50%, the backlog percentage is predicted to increase steadily to 17.5% by the end of the FY2029. If WSF's terminals funding is reduced, there will likely be a reduction in service reliability and an increase in maintenance costs. WSF is currently working to illustrate the impacts of funding shortfalls and the strategic approaches it plans to take to provide a safe and reliable transportation system.

FY2019

WSF terminal preservation backlog approximately $121 million in FY2019

As of the end of FY2019, the cost of clearing WSF's terminal preservation backlog was approximately $121.0 million, or 8.2% of the cost of replacing all 755 terminal systems. WSF's backlog for terminal assets is projected to decrease to 3.0% by the end of the FY2025, then increase to 6.6% by the end of the FY2029.

Two major terminal projects are currently under construction. The new Mukilteo terminal will open in the fall of 2020, and the new Seattle multimodal terminal will be complete in 2023. When construction of these two terminals is complete, the terminal preservation backlog is expected to temporarily decrease.

If the funding levels were reduced by 50%, the backlog percentages are predicted to increase steadily up to 21% by the end of the FY2029. A comparison of the 100% funding and 50% funding scenarios with the no-funding scenario helps to measure the relative effects of various levels of funding (see chart above). If WSF's terminals funding is reduced, there will likely be a reduction in service reliability and an increase in maintenance costs.

WSF assesses its terminal priorities every year based on updated information from inspections, risk costs and available funding. The use of an economic-based asset management model incorporating updated information helps WSF reprioritize terminal projects based on economic cost-benefit analyses.