Ferry Wahkiakum closed as ramp fails

The ferry Wahkiakum should be running today (Thursday) as Clatsop County completes emergency repairs at the Westport ferry landing.

The pontoon and loading ramp structure broke apart at mid-day last Friday. Sediment had built up under the float, and at low tide, twisting from lying on the slough bottom caused the float to break away from the ramp.

Wahkiakum Public Works Director Pete Ringen reported Saturday that Clatsop County had the necessary permits for the emergency work, and Clatsop has contracted with Bergerson Construction to do the work.

Bergerson drove piling on Saturday and raised the ramp and floats on Sunday. Next they excavated material and replaced the float and ramp at mid-week. The Clatsop County Public Works Office said Wednesday morning as The Eagle went to press that the ramp should be operational by noon.

Ironically, Ringen was supposed to meet Clatsop officials Friday afternoon at the Westport ramp to discuss long range plans for the ramp.

Wahkiakum County has upgraded the ramp at the Puget Island landing, and the county is working to construct a new, larger ferry in the next few years. That vessel would need a larger ramp at Westport, Ringen has said.