Oregon Public Broadcasting

Advocates for a new state ferry across the Columbia River in central Washington will have to wait at least another year.

Legislators say the state can't afford to replace Washington's only inland ferry. Still, they maintain it's a high priority. The boat that carries school buses, trucks and cars across the Columbia River near the town of Keller is more than 60 years old. It needs to be replaced. Last fall, the state repaired the hull, which had small holes in it.

Colville Tribal Council member Jeanne Jarred has tried to convince legislators to allocate the millions needed to replace the boat.

She said they're sympathetic. But they didn't put the vessel in this year's transportation budget. But in the future, she says they've vowed to match whatever money the federal government pays for a new ferry.“We believe that we have convinced the people that we have spoken with about the necessity for a new vessel and at least to meet what we have right now, if not a larger one," she said.

The state will repair the old ferry this June. Transportation Department officials expect that will give the boat another five years of life.