Weekend ferry schedule changes

Nearly all trips to and from Colman Dock will follow a temporary sailing schedule on Saturday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 21, as construction to replace the state’s seismically vulnerable flagship ferry terminal steams ahead.

From the first sailing on Saturday until the last sailing on Sunday, all Bainbridge Island and Bremerton sailings will share a single slip. In order to prevent more than one ferry from arriving at or departing the slip at the same time, vessels will operate slower, and departure times will shift between five and 30 minutes on most sailings.

Construction activities require the use of one of two ferry slips so the Pacific Lifter, a giant barge with a floating crane, can drive piles on the north trestle. The piles will support a platform and a large crane that will be used for demolition and future pile driving work on the north trestle. All loud work, such as pile driving, will only occur during daylight hours; quieter work may occur around the clock.

“Closing down the north half of the dock for a solid weekend allows us to get a head start on replacing the trestle, which is partly supported by 70-year-old wooden piles,” said Construction Engineer Bryant Bullamore. “This work is critical to ensure the safety of millions of people who use Colman Dock and we appreciate everyone’s patience.”

Tips to prepare for Oct 20-21 changes
• Plan ahead: Departure times will be different on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. Check the schedule (PDF 475 kb) in advance.
• Arrive early in Seattle: If departing from Colman Dock, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your sailing.
• Add extra travel time: Crossing times will be longer when the single slip is occupied.
• Check VesselWatch: Get real-time status of your ferry’s location on the route.

There will be much less room for vehicles waiting to load during the weekend work. Vehicles in line for Bremerton and Bainbridge Island departures will share holding lanes on the south side of Colman Dock. When the dock is full, people in vehicles will wait in overflow vehicle holding lanes on Pier 48. It is important for all travelers to watch for signs and follow ferry terminal crew directions at toll plaza and inside the passenger terminal building.

Colman Dock is Washington state’s largest ferry terminal and supports transportation across Puget Sound between downtown Seattle and communities in Kitsap County and the Olympic Peninsula. More than 9 million people use the terminal each year, but it is aging and vulnerable to earthquake damage. Construction to replace the terminal began in August 2017 and will continue until 2023.

Washington State Ferries, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and safely and efficiently carries nearly 25 million people a year through some of the most majestic scenery in the world. For breaking news and the latest information, follow WSF on Twitter.