SOUTHWORTH, Wash. — Editor’s Note: The story incorrectly said a new site for a terminal was announced and should have said a plan to replace the terminal had been selected.
Washington State Ferries has announced that they have a new plan to replace the Fauntleroy terminal. The concept would provide more space to load and unload passengers.
“We have selected a plan to replace the aging terminal and are moving forward with a concept that provides more space to load and unload passengers – holding between 124 and 155 vehicles on the dock, compared to 80 vehicles today,” said WSDOT.
The project purpose and need statement says the purpose for replacement is because the current terminal is vulnerable to earthquakes, is structurally vulnerable and does not meet storm or tsunami design standards. There is also a need to raise the elevation of the terminal as a preparation for future sea level rise and storm intensification.
Without the replacement terminal, the current terminal would need extensive work to repair the terminal trestles and vital repairs to the existing bridge seat.
According to the statement, this bridge seat is one of the lowest in the ferry system, and with the potential for sea level rise, it could increase the risk to passengers, inundations, and terminal damage from storms.
The goals in the statement are to improve customers’ overall experience, accommodate future electrification at the terminal and make maintenance of the terminal financially manageable, to name a few.
WSF held a virtual information session to share the results selected for further environmental review.
For more information about the project click here.
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