SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries is starting off the New Year with construction of a new Olympic Class ferry.

WSF signed a notice to proceed last week with shipbuilder Vigor Industrial for work on its fourth 144-vehicle ferry, and work begins in January. The new ferry is funded through the Connecting Washington transportation funding package with a $122 million budget. The ferry will be built at Vigor Industrial’s Seattle shipyard, supporting about 500 jobs there, and contractors around the region.

The vessel is scheduled to be complete by mid-2018.

Along with the Tokitae, Samish and Chimacum, the fourth Olympic Class ferry improves fleet reliability and safety by replacing four of the state’s oldest ferries built during the 1950s and 1960s. The Washington State Transportation Commission is leading a public process to determine the new ferry’s name.

“Our top priority is keeping the ferry system safe and reliable for the millions of commuters, freight haulers and travelers who depend on us every year,” said Elizabeth Kosa, WSF chief of staff. “Thanks to state lawmakers and critical funds from Connecting Washington, we are able to meet some of the ferry system’s most urgent needs, including building this new ferry.”

Olympic Class ferries are equipped with the latest emergency-evacuation and fire-suppression systems, two Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant elevators, and wider car-deck lanes that provide more room for passengers to access their vehicles. The vessels’ hull design reduces wake and provides better fuel efficiency, while cleaner burning engines reduce emissions.

The first two Olympic Class ferries were delivered on time and under budget. The third vessel, under construction at Vigor, is on schedule, under budget and will be assigned to the Seattle/Bremerton route in early 2017.

— Edited by Michelle Beahm