State legislators Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano Island) and Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island) helped launch the construction of a new Washington state ferry on Thursday, March 29, at Seattle’s Vigor Shipyards.

The two were invited to strike the first ceremonial welds on the keel of what will be a 144-car ferry, to be finished in 2014.

The $147 million ferry is one of four that the state wants to build, replacing three 1950s vintage boats.