Last fall I attended a Ferry Reservation Information Meeting.

I asked the question, “How much is it going to cost to implement the reservation program?”

They felt that the anticipated chaos at Anacortes would require a new management position to handle the disorder and confusion trying to get the vehicles through the tollbooth and into the proper lines.

They would also require additional staff to man the tollbooths.

Wrong answer!

Low bidder to install a new tollbooth at MP55.67 SR 20 Spur for $199,537,370 was Flatiron West, Inc. in Benicia, Calif., on July 16, 2014. Two other Washington companies bid $214.9 and $249.8 million.

The partial list of the work to be done is: removing existing tollbooth, 600 LF controlled blasting, 300 CY roadway excavation, 104 LF pre cast conc. barrier, 1390 LF paint line, toll booth.

The list goes on to include a variety of communication cables and equipment, Hwy advisory radio transmitter system, variable mess. sign etc. Target start date 8/01/2014. Contact information:

WA State DOT Olympia SVR CTR

Greg Morehouse

PO Box 47360 Olympia WA 98504-7360

Phone 360-705-7017

Email: MOREHOG@wsdot.wa.gov

Internet address: www.wsdot.wa.gov/DEW804

Maybe $200,000,000 could have been used for a down payment on a new boat.

See you in the “Standby Line.”

Herb Schiessl

Lopez Island