Hill International, Inc. announced it was selected by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to provide Program General Engineering Consultant (GEC) services for the electrification of the Washington State Ferries (WSF) system. The ambitious System Electrification Program (SEP) will begin the transition to an emission-free fleet of hybrid electric ferries, to reduce environmental impacts and lower energy costs. The SEP Program is focused on three key elements of the electrification system - building new hybrid electric vessels, converting selected existing diesel-burning vessels to hybrid electric, and electrifying the terminals.

Currently, WSF operates the larger ferry system in the United States, however, the fleet and its operation are also the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions of any state agency in Washington, burning 19 million gallons of diesel fuel to support 24 million passengers every year. To address this important issue, in 2022 Governor Jay Inslee included just over $1 billion for WSF in the State's $17 billion transportation package, which marked the beginning of this 20-year program to reduce carbon emissions by 76% and significantly improve local air quality. The overall 2020 System Electrification Plan shows that it will cost a total of $3.98 billion to fund the program.

Vessel electrification is estimated at $3.7 billion and terminal electrification is estimated at $280 million. To support the SEP, Hill assembled an and inclusive team of well-respected firms led by Program Executive Harry Jarnagan. Notably, Jarnagan helped deliver the multi-year, multi-billion-dollar Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement program, among other large-scale infrastructure programs. As part of its Program GEC contract, Jarnagan and the Hill Team will provide program management, design engineering management, program controls, cost engineering and control, schedule management, document management, risk management, contract management, quality management, communication management, and environmental and permitting support services for the SEP, among others.