Monday, February 3, 2014

Bainbridge ferry terminal retrofit beginning soon - KITSAP SUN

KITSAP SUN
By Ed Friedrich
Posted January 18, 2014 at 4:38 p.m.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The Bainbridge ferry terminal building might be mid-century, but it’s not modern.

That’ll change over the next several months as an island firm brings the 1950s-era facility up to current energy, earthquake and accessibility standards. Work is expected to begin Jan. 27 and be completed in September.

PHC Construction will replace the windows, roof and light fixtures along with the electrical, ventilation, air conditioning and heating systems. Most visible to customers will be roomier, relocated rest rooms, better pedestrian flow from the removal of inside tollbooths, and vendor Commuter Comforts’ move from outside to inside.

During the first month, the ramp to the overhead walkway will be closed and one of the two exit lanes will be used for staging during non-peak hours, said Nicole McIntosh, Washington State Ferries terminal design engineering manager. No changes will be made to the overhead walkway or passenger loading and unloading area. The terminal building will stay open throughout the project.

Customers can learn more about the project during a meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bainbridge Island City Hall, 280 Madison Ave.

Construction was planned to start in November, but the state put it out to bid a second time. PHC’s construction proposal of $1.94 million beat out three other firms. The total project cost is just over $3 million, down from the original estimate of $4.7 million.

McIntosh emphasized this is strictly a preservation project, not the $150 million terminal modernization once envisioned. That went away after license tab revenues were cut in 1999.

The building was constructed in 1955, a year after WSF’s oldest ferry, the Evergreen State, and five years after the Agate Pass Bridge opened.

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2014/jan/18/bainbridge-ferry-terminal-retrofit-beginning/#ixzz2sHpglg2O
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