PARKERSBURG – A dock is being built on Blennerhassett Island to provide a safe place to berth the sternwheeler that provides transportation to the island and other vessels.

“This project is being done out of absolute necessity,” said Chelsea Ruby, director of marketing and communications for the West Virginia Department of Commerce, which includes the state’s parks.

Ruby said the dock is needed to base and protect not only the Island Belle sternwheeler that ferries passengers from Point Park to the island but also the park’s tug, Gigi; its flat-top barge; and several pontoon boats.

Currently, “we just pull it into the landing and we tie it up for the night,” park superintendent Doug Wiant said.

The new dock will ensure the safety of the boats and adjust with the water level, he said.

The dock is being built about a quarter of a mile from the spot where passengers disembark. Visitors to the island won’t notice a difference in their trip, Wiant said.

“When you get off the boat as a guest, you’ll still be getting off at the same place,” he said.

Construction began in October. The dock is being built by Dan Hill Construction Company of Glen Ferris, W.Va. The cost of the $780,000 project is being paid for out of state lottery funds, Ruby said.

Wiant said he hopes to see construction completed by the spring, but that hasn’t been finalized.