The Steamship Authority’s sweeping renovation of its Woods Hole waterfront operations, originally estimated to cost less than $70 million, is now being budgeted at $92,767,283.
The Steamship Authority’s sweeping renovation of its Woods Hole operations, originally estimated to cost less than $70 million, is now being budgeted at nearly $93 million, boat line officials said this week. More than $57 million of the $92,767,283 committed to date is earmarked for the waterside reconstruction, a massive multi-year project that began in early 2018 with the demolition of the 1950s building housing the Woods Hole ticket and administration offices.
Designing and building a dedicated administration building in Falmouth, which opened in early 2018, cost the boat line another $15,795,879 that was not on the original estimate of costs for the Woods Hole project.
The terminal reconstruction will also take longer than originally expected.
“The best-case scenario here is looking at May of 2025,” general manager Robert Davis said at Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the SSA board of governors in Falmouth.
The waterside work includes relocating and rebuilding three ferry slips, along with the transfer bridges and passenger loading areas for each, and building a permanent terminal building on the current site of the temporary ticket office.
Mr. Davis said more costs may be revealed when waterside construction moves to the southernmost slip. Change orders, many caused by unforeseen obstructions beneath the soil underwater, have already mounted past $2.5 million for work on the other two slips.
Construction can only take place between October and May.
Construction can only take place between October and May.
Other future costs are expected to come from the design and construction of an anti-scour pad, to prevent ferry engines from displacing underwater sand and soil; bulkhead repairs; construction administration services and completing the permanent ticket building.
The temporary Woods Hole ticket office, installed in late 2017, cost about $3 million. Costs for its permanent replacement, which is still being designed, currently are earmarked at $15,888,749. The current structure has a temporary building permit, but because it does not meet all the environmental and zoning requirements for the site, this permit cannot be extended unless a permanent building is under construction.
In addition to delays caused by underwater obstructions, there was a bulkhead collapse due to soil liquefaction and a protracted community approval process for the permanent ticket building. Another reason for the distant time horizon for the project’s completion is that the terminal reconstruction work takes place only between October and May, with contractor Jay Cashman, Inc. of Quincy removing its equipment from Woods Hole before the summer travel rush.
More information about the terminal reconstruction project is posted on the Steamship Authority website at steamshipauthority.com. The boat line is funding the project chiefly through the periodic sale of bonds.
As part of his update to the SSA board, Mr. Davis disclosed the main culprit in the Jan. 21 crash of the boat line website, which took place on opening day of online auto reservations for the summer.
“The mobile service for the system was not load tested when we were pre-testing the systems,” he said. With a high volume of customers using mobile devices to connect, the SSA website was unable to meet the demand.
Mr. Davis said that future load testing will include every element of the reservations process and involve the boat line’s vendors for its website, mobile interface, the reservations system and credit card payment system.
He also aired the possibility of creating a “virtual waiting room” for online customers, and said the boat line is looking to identify vendors for a mobile application and upgraded website.
Despite being crippled for half the day, the website nonetheless handled nearly 15,000 reservations on Jan. 21, Mr. Davis said.
In other business, treasurer/comptroller Mark Rozum reported the proceeds from last year’s embarkation fees. By law, the SSA adds a 50-cent embarkation surcharge to each individual passenger ticket. The total at the end of the year is divided among the port towns.
In 2019, the Steamship Authority collected just under $1,068,000 in embarkation fees, about $16,000 more than in 2018, Mr. Rozum said.
Falmouth will receive the largest share of the distribution, $411,000.
Tisbury is due $262,000, Oak Bluffs $145,000, Barnstable $126,000 and Nantucket $124,000, Mr. Rozum said.
At Tuesday’s meeting, held jointly with the boat line’s advisory port council, Steamship Authority board members also received a report on vessel dry docking and repairs from Mark Amundsen, the boat line’s director of marine operations, and an update on marine construction in Woods Hole from project manager Bill Cloutier.
The latest, single-story design for the controversial terminal building has passed muster with the Falmouth Conservation Commission and the Falmouth Historical Commission, Mr. Davis told board members.
After last month’s meeting, at which New Bedford board member Moira Tierney objected to an $880,000 change order from the architects, Mr. Davis said the boat line is seeking an independent review of the charges to make sure they are reasonable.
Ms. Tierney was absent from Tuesday’s meeting due to the recent death of her mother, former New Bedford mayor Rosemary Tierney.
As the meeting concluded, the board and boat line staff saluted outgoing Martha’s Vineyard governor Marc Hanover, who is stepping down after serving five three-year terms beginning in 2004, and executive secretary Pat Avery, who also is retiring from the Steamship Authority.
Mr. Hanover’s replacement is expected to be selected early next month by the Dukes County Commission, which has interviewed 10 applicants for the post. By law, this is the Vineyard’s year to chair the Steamship Authority board, so the newcomer will wield the gavel at the March 17 meeting in Falmouth.
Comments
Oh, C'mon, Mr. Davis. Why
T Bone Oak BluffsOh, C'mon, Mr. Davis. Why not just round to an even $100 Million. We all know this monument is on your watch. Go for it.
Can anyone say Big Dig 2?
Lorraine EdgartownCan anyone say Big Dig 2?
Good one Lorraine
Tom EdgartownGood one Lorraine
Who did the soil testing? A
Very Annoyed Vineyard HavenWho did the soil testing? A massive project should have been planned much better. These factors needed to be considered. Maybe the SSA needs to watch Oak Island to see how it's done!!!!
Am I reading MBTA story or a
Robert EdgAm I reading MBTA story or a SSA story. Oh whats the difference. Soon the crew on Bacon Hill will be swindling the taxpayers to bail out the SSA in addition to the MBTA. Just another day in Ma. Get me outa here!!!!!!!!!
Hope it’s worth it. Please
Tom Engley WTHope it’s worth it. Please make it above the high water mark. Or higher.
Originally budgeted at $70
Math Major OBOriginally budgeted at $70 million. Now $23 million over budget with a new estimate of $93 million. That's 33% over budget. Is this normal?
For the SSA, massive cost
thomas hodgson wtFor the SSA, massive cost overruns do seem to be "normal". Their new administration building at the Palmer Lot was supposed to cost 6 or 7 million, if I remember right. The final cost was around 13 million. About double.
Again, how much would a
Ken Edg.Again, how much would a bridge cost?
The Bay Area Bridge cost
Mark EdgartownThe Bay Area Bridge cost almost $6.5bn and spans about 4.6 miles. Falmouth to Vineyard Haven is about 6.8 miles. Need to be realistic about fixing what we have because a bridge is never happening on MV. Remove the SSA management team, bring in new blood and align compensation and governance with operating performance and hitting reasonable financial targets.
how about our elected
jon west tishow about our elected officials do their job and follow-up on this. apply some pressure at the state level. do something!
It's no surprise that a
gina Menemsha/ NYCIt's no surprise that a construction project of this size would ever come in near estimated cost.. Construction never does but the unforeseen conditions should have been built in to the original estimates there always are some.. If they said in the first place the project would cost $100 mill they would look smart instead of stupid.. A PR nightmare for the SSA..
One would think that Davis,
Digging up bones OBOne would think that Davis, an accountant by training, would have a grasp on budgets. $23 million over budget as of now, and no where near completion. I'll guess another $23 million in overruns before this debacle is over. Hanover picked a good time to quit -- as a businessman he probably got an early peek at the numbers and wanted nothing to do with the SSA anymore, especially as Chairman of the SSA. What a path we've been lead down. And you know who pays? We do. Anyone want to predict how much our islander car fares will go up to pay for this? The tourists should bear the cost of the construction -- none of us wanted it.
The tourists didn't want it
FJB PAThe tourists didn't want it either.
Hanover contributed directly
Facts Matter EdgartownHanover contributed directly to the debacle with his 35% of the SSA Board vote. There is no evidence in the record that Hanover objected to costs during the project planning and implementation. Finally, Hanover did not choose now as a good time to quit, he realized that he had zero chance of being reappointed.
I know the frustration of the
Mister K Oak BluffsI know the frustration of the cost and time is upsetting to so many, including myself. But, there is one underlying fact that many are choosing to ignore. The island and Falmouth stated that they didn't want construction during the the peak season. If construction were allowed during the Summer, the cost savings would be phenomenal. The time frame of construction would be reduced, not 5 years from today. We've endured this construction chaos for a few years now. My humble opinion, bite the bullet, let Summer construction happen and save money, time and frustration for all the communities involved. Before you know it, the time will be here to replace the MV Gov (1954) MV Nant. (1974) MV Sankaty, Gay Head and Katama (1981) and the MV Eagle (1987)...some big capital improvements coming our way soon.
Can you define "phenomenal"
T Bone Oak BluffsCan you define "phenomenal" savings? And your suggestions are sane ones if we had confidence in SSA leadership. Recent history has given us little to be confident about. And you bring up the pending ship replacement nightmares -- I can only hope we have competent leadership by then.
TBone, thanks. I should
MisterK Oak BluffsTBone, thanks. I should clarify my thoughts. $100 Million over the course of what is now an 8 year project. Approximately $1.2 Million per month over 96 months. The SSA is only getting 7 months of work at a time, with 5 months off during the peak season. 8 years x5 months =40, x $1.2 Millon, $48 Million. "phenomenal" savings. It's not quite fuzzy math, but my point stands. the 5 months off each year is horribly expensive to the project.
What's wrong with the new
Tim Oak BluffsWhat's wrong with the new "temporary" ticket office ? It cost $3m to build and $15m to replace. Why not keep it as permanent and save the $15M? It's worked fine for the last few years and is better than the old building !
I agree. There must be a
Diane EdgartownI agree. There must be a reason why they need another building, but I haven’t seen one...Could it be to free up the parking lot? Just what we need. This is a wildly expensive program and guess who will pay.
Davis must go. Better sooner
James Vineyard HavenDavis must go. Before the entire SSA implodes.
Listen, my children,
Lorraine EdgartownListen, my children, competition is the name of the game. Keep the huge old ferries for the tourists and large vehicles, let us run smaller ferries out of other areas if Falmouth and Woods Hole do not care for the traffic increases. Competition drives down the price and the customer is serviced much better as companies strive to please the customer....dare I dream?????
What if the whole project is
Bob Morris Woods HoleWhat if the whole project is a$100 million blunder by obstinate management with absolutely no vision. The two lane road to the ferry in Woods Hole feeds two ports and 5-6 egress roads on the Vineyard. The expansion increases capacity through Woods Hole by 50 per cent.Thats an additional 600,000 people, 100,000 plus cars and 25,000 more trucks. Maybe the Vineyard wants and can handle that traffic but it’s a tight squeeze on one lane in and one out. Woods Hole is saying ouch now but Vineyarders cb paying for a long time. It’s obvious that the 100mil should be employed to explore alternatives from Woods Hole. But that would require vision......
The guy at the top casts the
Jim MensmshaThe guy at the top casts the longest shadow...
If the Board of Overseers cannot envision the Authority as a responsible entity accountable for its estimates and performance nothing will change.
The constant expansion of the
nomore Oak BluffsThe constant expansion of the SSA will destroy this Island eventually. Too many people, too much traffic, etc will ruin the natural beauty and make this a place people do not want to visit. Yes that seems like a long way away, but instead of greed, we need to be more motivated by conservation. Business expansion is not a god to be worshipped, but the natural beauty all around us is.
I don't get it; tear down the
John C LongwoodI don't get it; tear down the terminal before the package for the new one is even ready for bid? Is there an independent construction mgt firm (other than staff) working with SSA on this mess? Design-build would have made sense with this project no need for an architectural firm, it isn't a particularly "design-necessary" building only a practical ticket/waiting place---the whole project is ridiculous; time for heads to roll...
It seems to me that the SSA
Tom Woods HoleIt seems to me that the SSA is holding the bag for all cost overruns and missteps. Architects come up with 8 terrible ideas? SSA pays for each one. The contractor didn't realize that there are rocks under Great Harbor? SSA pays for overruns.
I blame ourselves for not wanting to disrupt the summers with heavy construction, but I wonder if one or two bad summers would be worth finishing on budget and on time.
I just wish we had catamaran fast passenger ferries from Falmouth and Woods Hole... with side trips to Menemsha and Edgartown. Now THAT would be worth paying for!
The latest, single-story
JEORGE obThe latest, single-story design for the controversial terminal building has passed muster with the Falmouth Conservation Commission and the Falmouth Historical Commission, Mr. Davis told board members.
HAHAHAHAHA for this week, they are truly the worst
Add new comment