CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Travelers to Martha’s Vineyard line up for the Steamship Authority ferry in Woods Hole.
WOODS HOLE – The final hurdle has been cleared for the Steamship Authority’s Woods Hole terminal reconstruction project.
Earlier this month the state’s Department of Environmental Protection issued a waterways license which will allow reconstruction to begin on the three boat slips at the terminal.
“This is the last license we needed in order to go forward with the marine work that’s going to be required with the reconstruction of the terminal,” said Wayne Lamson, the general manager of the Steamship Authority. “So we are very pleased to get to this point.”
The entire terminal project is expected to cost about $60 million.
Construction is already underway on the first phase of the project, which will build a new headquarters at the Palmer Avenue parking lot.
“Because of new flood regulations and building code requirements we weren’t allowed to keep the building in its current location – the current terminal building,” Lamson said.
Final design plans and specifications for the marine work will now move forward.
“That’s going to be starting the beginning of next year,” Lamson said.
The work to rebuild the boat slips will be conducted during the offseason.
“The engineers are trying to get a handle on how much of the construction can be done in each of those off season periods,” Lamson said.
The final license was approved on April 13 and a seven-day period for residents opposed to the project passed without anyone taking action.
An appeal had been filed for the draft license in September. A hearing was held in January and the hearing officer made her recommendation, which was approved two weeks ago.
Lamson said the full cost of the project is high but it is being designed to make sure the new terminal will last for another 50 years.
The estimated completion date of the entire project is in late 2022 or early 2023.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
