Several Pierce County ferry runs will be canceled while construction crews make improvements to the Steilacoom ferry landing.

On Sunday, Sept. 14, Thursday, Sept. 18, Sunday, Sept. 21, and Thursday, Sept. 25, the runs departing Steilacoom at 8:40 p.m., Anderson Island at 9:10 p.m., and Ketron Island at 9:30 p.m. will be canceled. These runs are the last runs of the night on Sundays and Thursdays. On those dates, the last runs of the night will depart Steilacoom at 7:30 p.m. and Anderson Island at 8 p.m. A run departing Ketron Island at 8:20 p.m. has also been added on those dates.

“This project is needed to repair, replace and improve facilities that have been worn out over time so the Pierce County Ferry System can continue to provide safe and reliable transportation for its users,” said Deb Wallace, Public Works and Utilities airport and ferry administrator.

Construction crews will replace the landing’s transfer span main lift cylinder, hydraulic power unit, and electrical systems. These systems raise and lower the transfer span and apron that vehicles travel over to access the ferry deck. The cylinder has reached the end of its expected lifecycle, and is showing signs of deterioration.

This work is a continuation of a project that started in 2013. Previous work included repairs and realignment on one of the ferry landing dolphins, which serve as guiding posts for the ferry as it approaches the landing dock. The transfer span bearings were also rehabilitated and the steel parts were cleaned and repainted. A new back-up generator for the landing was also installed.

The service cancellations were needed because construction crews will be working eight hours a night Sept. 14-25. The night work will be conducted between 8:45 p.m. and 5:15 a.m. Some daytime work may occur, although it will not affect ferry service.

Nordic Construction Inc. is the general contractor, and the construction cost for the project is approximately $583,416. The project is paid for with United States Department of Transportation ferry boat discretionary funds and Pierce County road funds.