Port of Olympia commission approves emergency repairs after car crashes into marine terminal gate
The Port of Olympia commission unanimously approved an emergency public works contract Monday night after a car crashed into a marine terminal gate last week.
The commission approved a contract, which is not to exceed $12,000, with Summit Fence Co. of Lacey. It’s expected to take a week to repair the 25-foot sliding gate, Marine Terminal Director Len Faucher told the commission.
About 9:45 p.m. March 8, a car apparently left Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill, but rather than turn left with the road, the car drove straight ahead and crashed into the gate.
After reviewing video — video cameras dot the marine terminal — Faucher said the driver “immediately backed up and continued on down the road,” but “didn’t stay straight on the line,” suggesting that the driver may have been driving under the influence.
The incident was reported to Olympia police last week. A spokesman for the department could not be reached Monday night.
Commissioner Joe Downing suggested that in addition to fixing the fence, Faucher might consider adding yellow and black reflectors to it. Executive Director Ed Galligan said the port is also considering putting up reflective arrows that would point vehicles in the right direction.
The port video cameras captured the whole incident, but it was too dark to see the vehicle license plates, Galligan said.
Because an emergency was declared, the port could award the contract without seeking bids for the work, Faucher said.
In other port news:
▪ The port commission was set to discuss a proposed settlement between the port and the state Department of Natural Resources on Monday, but it was delayed again until March 28. The port originally had planned to vote on the proposal on Feb. 22 but that commission meeting was canceled and moved to March 14.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403, @rolf_boone
This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 8:35 PM with the headline "Port of Olympia commission approves emergency repairs after car crashes into marine terminal gate."