What is the Capital Improvement Program?
The County Ferry Capital Improvement Program (CFCIP) offers financial assistance for major capital improvements to county-operated car ferry systems. The counties currently operating car ferries include Pierce, Skagit, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom.
How Funding is Used
Due to lack of other viable funding support, CFCIP was created in 1991 specifically to assist the four counties operating car ferries. The program can be initiated every four years, and the eligible counties may apply for up to $10 million in financial assistance for vessel replacement or major upgrades to vessels or docks.
Projects eligible for consideration include:
- Purchase of new vessels
- Major vessel refurbishment
- Facility refurbishment and replacement
- Construction of infrastructure that provides new or additional access or increases the capacity of terminal facilities
Funding for the selected projects must be approved by the Legislature, with annual payments not to exceed $500,000 per year for up to 20 years.
Access to the program is limited in frequency (once every four years), and requires the county first seek funding from alternate sources including, but not limited to, the Public Works Trust Fund.
Additional Resources
Administration of the County Ferry Capital Improvement Program is contained in WAC 136-400.
Summary information is also available through the CFCIP Project Application Guidance document.
See the 2015 County Ferry Report for more information about the four county ferry systems.