I came across this in the 9/15/03 Commissioners' minutes:

"2. Steve Flude of the Public Works Department brought forward a resolution declaring an emergency at the Guemes Ferry Transfer Span #40152 - Anacortes side. Commissioner Anderson motioned to approve the resolution. Commissioner Munks seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote. (Resolution No. R2003)"

Does this have to do with the fractures and cracks in the cement supporting columns?

Would you please describe the problem, its extent, possible causes and remedies?

We had a situation develop at the Anacortes terminal that needed immediate attention.

David Shearer, our Structural Engineer consultant met us at the ferry about 2 weeks ago to inspect the bearings on the transfer span, Anacortes Side. Two of the four anchor bolts for the east bearing assembly had sheared off. The other two are in poor condition. The result of the failure of the bearing could have been catastrophic because the result would be to have a moveable bridge pivoting on (only one) the west bearing assembly, which it is not designed to do. The bearings are old, and the bolts had sustained a lot of shear load over their 25 years of service, these are fracture critical. We have/had no confidence that the remaining bearing would hold against lateral wind and wave forces.

Thus, we got the Board to sign an emergency resolution so that we could get a contractor out there and do a temporary fix. (Already done.)

We're now working on a permanent fix.