The Draft Long-Range Strategic Plan (see sidebar to download) was issued on April 3, 2006, and is available for public review and comment. The comment period ends July 31, 2006.
How was the Draft Plan developed?
The Draft Long-Range Strategic Plan has been developed in two phases. During the first phase WSF identified the challenges in each travel corridor, then identified and evaluated possible service scenarios that would meet each corridor’s needs.
In June 2005, WSF held public meetings in ferry communities to solicit feedback on corridor specific service alternatives to help guide selection of the most effective alternative.
Key Considerations
The Draft Plan strives to add service where it is needed most according to congestion delay standards set by the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC)
The Plan attempts to minimize expected congestion delays on all routes
Some routes will eventually reach the maximum level of service possible given the physical limitations of the facilities and nearby infrastructure
Even with a maximum service level in Kitsap, the congestion levels on the Seattle-Bainbrdige and Seattle-Bremerton routes are projected to exceed WSTC standards
WSF will no longer be in the passenger-only ferry business as early as 2007 and no later than 2009. However, the Plan assumes continued passenger-only ferry service (by a different operator) on the Vashon-Seattle route, and eventually, on the Kingston-Seattle route.
What terminal improvements and new vessels are necessary to implement the Plan?
The Draft Plan proposes three periods of vessel procurements:
• Procurement 1 – Four Expanded Issaquah class boats, 2006-2013 (already funded)
• Procurement 2 – Four Expanded Issaquah class boats, 2014-2022
• Procurement 3 – Six Expanded Issaquah class boats, 2023-2030
The following major terminal improvements are necessary for the preferred plan service changes:
• Anacortes: Third slip by 2009 and overhead loading by 2017
• Clinton: Third slip and overhead loading between 2018-2022
• Edmonds: New terminal by 2015
• Mukilteo: Relocation of the terminal by 2009 and second slip by 2018
• Southworth: Second slip by 2014
Service Plans and Investments by Corridor
South Sound
Fauntleroy Terminal is the greatest challenge and limiting factor in planning for growth in the South Sound, as this facility serves both the Vashon and Southworth communities. The City of Seattle has made a policy decision to only allow WSF to preserve, and not to expand, Fauntleroy Terminal. Under current ridership levels and service configurations, vehicle traffic at Fauntleroy already spills out onto neighborhood streets. As vehicle traffic from Vashon and Southworth increase, the queue will stretch deeper into the West Seattle neighborhood. Increasing queue lengths and capacity limitations at Fauntleroy were considered when comparing service alternatives in the South Sound travel shed and developing a Draft Plan.
The Triangle Route and Fauntleroy Terminal
Because of the constraints at the Fauntleroy terminal, WSF plans to split the “Triangle” route (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth) in 2014, and bring Southworth traffic into Colman Dock in downtown Seattle. Vashon riders will continue to use the Fauntleroy terminal.
WSF plans to then provide two-boat service between Vashon and Fauntleroy, a shuttle between Vashon and Southworth, and begin a two-boat route between Southworth and downtown Seattle.
Point Defiance-Tahlequah. The current vessel will be replaced by a larger vessel in 2015. The larger vessel will meet the demand of that route until at least 2030.
Seattle-Vashon POF. The Vashon Island passenger-only route is assumed to be transferred to another operator by the middle of 2009. WSF would continue to operate the route until that time at current service levels.
Central Sound
Seattle-Bremerton. A third vessel added to Bremerton in 2015 to address vehicle level of service on this route and the Seattle-Bainbridge route.
Seattle-Bainbridge. WSF will expand seated capacity on the Jumbo Mark II (Bainbridge vessel) in 2019 to accommodate expected growth in walk-on passengers on that route.
Edmonds-Kingston. A third boat will be added in the summer of 2009 and in 2012 year-round, and a fourth boat in 2023.
Seattle-Kingston Passenger-Only Ferry. The Plan assumes that an entity other than WSF will operate a Seattle-Kingston passenger-only route by 2030.
Colman Dock. The Colman Dock terminal plan currently calls for a remodeled terminal and a fourth slip by 2014. The fourth slip will be necessary to redirect Southworth service to Colman Dock, as described above.
North Sound
Port Townsend-Keystone. WSF is still in the process of studying vessel options identified in the 2005 Keystone Harbor Study. Service options will be dependent on the outcome of the Keystone planning effort, and results will be incorporated into the Long-Range Plan.
Mukilteo-Clinton. A third boat will be added in the summer in 2018, and will become year-round in 2022.
San Juan Corridor
Anacortes-San Juans. In 2017, these routes will receive a sixth boat in summer and fifth boat in other seasons, allowing more direct service between Anacortes and each island.
Anacortes-Sidney. The route will continue to operate its current service until the 2017 route restructuring, at which time a second daily round trip (currently summer-only) may be possible in other seasons.
Comment on the Draft
Please submit your comments on the Draft Long-Range Strategic Plan by writing wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov. Your feedback will help inform the preparation of the Final Long-Range Strategic Plan.
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