LUMMI ISLAND FERRY SYSTEM

Art Anderson worked with the Whatcom County Department of Public Works to provide comprehensive planning, design, and management services for upgrades to the Lummi Island Ferry System. The project was the result of county studies which showed a need for a new ferry vessel, terminal, and upland improvements to meet the increasing transportation demand from Island residents and tourists.

Planning Phase

Throughout the contract, we acted as Owner’s Representative for developing the system’s 14-year budget plan and detailed program; drafting a Public Works Trust Fund loan application package; determining the appropriate size of the new vessel; and conducting a feasibility study and cost estimate for upgrades to both the Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point Terminals to accommodate the new ferry.

Engineering Design Phase

After completing the comprehensive planning tasks, Art Anderson was retained for the engineering design of the terminal improvements. The scope of work for the terminal improvements was broken down into three phases.

The first phase involved a significant pre-design study to determine the facility’s capacity and requirements and included:

Wing Wall Upgrade Design Study for the Lummi Island terminal
Wing Wall Replacement Study for the Gooseberry Point terminal
Breasting Dolphin Study
Vessel Mooring Study
Passenger Access and Staging Area Study
Design Analysis Report
Utility Improvements Study
Emergency Repair Study

Other services in this phase included identifying temporary permits; updating and verifying bathymetric data; collection of geotechnical data and preparation of a geotechnical report (performed by a subcontractor); compilation of vessel data; and assembly of as-built drawings.

Permitting

Next, the permitting phase was coordinated by Art Anderson with substantial collaboration with subcontractor GeoEngineers. Services performed and permits obtained included:

Biological Assessment/ESA Consultation
Shoreline Substantial Development Permit
Hydraulic Project Approval
Army Corps of Engineers Individual Permit
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Submittal
Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Consistency
Aquatic Lands Lease

During the final design phase, Art Anderson developed plans and specifications for wing walls, dolphins, the wave break/catwalk, mooring hardware, the passenger staging area and all relevant mechanical and electrical systems. We also performed site inspections, provided construction support, completed a JARPA submittal and provided overall project management.