Infrastructure
Primarily surrounded by water, the Olympic Peninsula depends on the nation's largest ferry system, the Washington State Ferries. The Washington State Ferry system is not only the largest, but the finest in floating amenities. Whether traveling on the ferry is for business or pleasure, the ferries are reliable and the spectacular scenery makes taking one of the many ferries worth the ride. Visitors have multiple access points to the Olympic Peninsula, and once here, enjoy integrated transportation; merging land, sea and air modes of transportation.
Highways
- Highway 101: Extends from Discovery Bay through Forks; it then continues down the coast of Washington and eventually heads to Olympia.
- Highway 112: A nationally designated Scenic Byway following the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Port Angeles to Neah Bay, the home of the Makah Nation.
- Historic Old Olympic Highway: Before Highway 101, Old Olympic Highway was the highway to take between Port Angeles and Sequim. It takes drivers through picturesque Dungeness Valley.
- Highway 110: This road links visitors to beautiful Pacific Ocean beaches and the Quileute Village of La Push - the western-most point in the contiguous United States.
Ferries
- Black Ball Transport, Inc. (M.V. Coho): Transports passengers and vehicles between Port Angeles and Victoria, B.C.
- Victoria Express: Foot passenger only (no vehicles) between Port Angeles and Victoria, B.C. (Operates May 28 through September 25)
Public Transportation
Airports
- William R. Fairchild International Airport, Port Angeles
- Sequim Valley Airport, Sequim
- Forks Municipal Airport, Forks
- Quillayute Airport, Forks
- Sekiu Airport, Sekiu
For additional information on area airports, visit the Transportation page.
Connectivity
The Olympic Peninsula is served by a redundant fiber-optic loop -- providing a variety of telecommunications services. Whether one is an online gamer or a telecommuter who prefers the great outdoors to the concrete jungle, the Olympic Peninsula has the connections.
Utilities
The Olympic Peninsula is home to some of the least expensive power in the country. Port Angeles is served by the City of Port Angeles Public Works Department. The Clallam County Public Utilities District (PUD) serves the rest of Clallam County. For a detailed description of utilities and related services including waste disposal, propane and telecommunications, visit the Utilities page.
Waste Disposal/Recycling
Several private companies serve the Olympic Peninsula for waste disposal and support an active recycling program. For a complete list, visit the Utilities page.
The Port of Port Angeles serves Clallam County by:
- Providing the facilities and services required to support marine and airborne commerce, and transportation;
- Developing and expanding opportunities associated with the Port's properties;
- Promoting and encouraging industrial, commercial and recreational development - all in a manner enhancing the quality of life within the Port District.
Washington State Ferries
The Washington State Ferry System connects the Olympic Peninsula to the I-5 corridor via the Edmonds-Kingston run, Seattle-Bainbridge Island run, and the Seattle-Bremerton run. The ferry on the Port Townsend-Keystone run connects the Peninsula with the southern tip of Whidby Island. For a full description of the Washington State Ferry System, visit the state's Web site at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.
Permits and Licensing
Information on county permitting and licensing issues can be found at the Clallam County's Web site. The same information as it applies to the City of Port Angeles can be found at the City Clerk's Office Web site. In addition, a comprehensive source for licensing and permitting, as well as business development resources, can be found in The Guide for Small Business in Washington State.
