This month’s article is about the Shaw Island ferry dock project. Engineering Technician Terry Turner, who was very actively involved in this project, has been an employee with Orcas Power and Light Cooperative for almost fourteen years. His responsibilities include mapping, right of way maintenance, easement acquisition, and, most recently, project coordination.
In
September of 1997, OPALCO was contacted by the Washington State Department of
Transportation regarding the proposed reconstruction of the Shaw ferry landing
dock. The landing was being served by a single phase overhead primary line to
a small transformer that was not going to adequately service the proposed new
facility. State engineers and project managers talked with OPALCO engineers
many times over the next few years to design a new power supply that stayed
within their budget while still meeting the load requirements and OPALCO’s construction
standards. During the years of discussion, the scope and design of the project
changed many times, with various project managers, engineers, and budgets each
having an effect.
Once Washington State DOT firmed up its requirements for the dock, OPALCO hired Commonwealth Associates, Inc., an engineering firm familiar with state bidding requirements, to draw up the construction bids and plans for OPALCO’s portion of the dock project. Terry’s job was to find a route for a new three phase underground power supply from the head of Blind Bay to the ferry landing. It soon became apparent the route would involve wetland, road stability, and Native American archeological issues as well as how to maintain service to members if the power line moved from their property. Terry worked for over two years to get easements, permits, and agreements from all the involved property owners and government agencies.
As the project moved into the actual construction phase, it became apparent that Terry, due to his involvement with the project, should continue as project manager. During several preconstruction public hearings and meetings with county agencies, many concerns about the trenching project were expressed, including the possibilities that parts of the roadbed might become more unstable and slide into the bay; that the only road to the only store, post office and ferry dock might be blocked for long periods of time; or that Indian midden would be disturbed. Lopez Sand and Gravel won the bid for the excavating and trench work and Terry worked closely with them and the various government agencies, inspectors, and property owners to address all concerns and problems. Approximately 9,000 feet of trench was dug and 12,000 feet of conduit installed by the contractor, mostly along the county road but also across and up driveways and through yards. There was very little interruption in traffic on the road - the longest wait was 15 minutes, and no one missed a ferry! Restoration was done each day to avoid liability issues and keep our impact to property at a minimum.
Meanwhile, the State of Washington Shaw Dock Project Manager, Lisa Parriot (the fourth manager since 1997) had her own difficulties. Her budget became her biggest issue as Initiative 695 took its toll on all Washington highway budgets. After years of planning, meetings, engineering, and gearing up to do the work, it came down to a nail biter in the few weeks before digging began to see if the entire project would survive budget cuts. It was decided to begin and complete the work as quickly as possible and to split OPALCO’s work into two parts, the majority being done in early 2003. Terry expedited the movement of OPALCO material to Shaw and was on site almost every day during trenching to try to solve any problems as they came up, thereby avoiding delays.
OPALCO’s Operations Department started to install the 25,000 feet of high voltage cable in February of 2003. For the state budget, we needed to have OPALCO’s cable, vaults, high voltage fittings and terminations installed and operational to the edge of state land at the Shaw ferry dock before the end of June 2003. Crews from Lopez and Orcas combined to meet the deadline. In fact, OPALCO was efficient enough to save the state enough money to cover the cost of the second phase of OPALCO’s installation - scheduled for completion this fall - which actually puts three phase power onto the state ferry dock. In the process we also removed over 6,200 feet of overhead power lines and poles along Blind Bay, improving the scenic quality and system reliability.
Terry and his wife, Lyndy, and their two daughters, Madeleine and Hannah, live on Orcas Island. They enjoy fishing, skiing and soccer. Terry has coached local youth soccer teams for many years, and he plays competitively in Seattle area and regional matches.
