State ferries may lease Port Townsend-Keystone ferries until 2010

Port Townsend and Whidbey Island residents may soon get their wish for two new, large ferries to run the Port Townsend-to-Keystone route instead of a smaller, 50-car ferry originally planned.

Washington State Ferries Director David Moseley said this morning that a deal could be reached early next week to lease ferries to run between Port Townsend to Keystone until April 2010.

Pending the approval of Gov. Christine Gregoire, the deal would buy time for the state to get the first new ferry built for the route. Gregoire is on board with the idea, and "I am optimistic we can reach an agreement with Pierce County to lease their ferries," Moseley said.

If the deal is completed, the state would abandon its plan to build a 50-car ferry, a plan objected to by local residents.

The Island Home ferries are larger and more stable. New England now operates that type of boat, designed by Seattle's Elliott Bay Design.

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com