16-day-closure dates for Keller Ferry finalized

KELLER – Keller Ferry users will need to plan additional travel time during an upcoming closure.

Material procurement delays and curing of paint have pushed back the 16-day closure, initially scheduled to begin by Friday, Sept. 13. The ferry vessel M/V Sanpoil will now be out of service from Monday, Sept. 16, through Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Travelers planning to cross the Columbia River on State Route 21 should choose an alternate route during the closure, via SR 25 or SR 155 and SR 174. Plan additional time for travel as it can take up to an hour to complete the detour. Due to the fire season, WSDOT will make a final decision to remove the ferry from service just prior to the published date.

A delayed delivery of the steel components needed to fabricate part of the approach span meant crews could not begin work to finish the terminal and pontoon replacement. Now that the materials have arrived, crews will need three additional days for materials to cure before removing and replacing the terminals. This project will replace severely corroded terminal pontoons on both sides of the Columbia River, helping preserve the vital ferry service for many more years.