Date:  Monday, June 27, 2011

Contact: Susan Harris-Huether, Senior Programs Manager, 206-515-3460 (Seattle)

SEATTLE - The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) today offered ferry riders suggestions for the best times to travel and other tips for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Customers can use the tips and other online tools to plan for heavy ferry traffic, as many locals and tourists attend the various fireworks displays in the Puget Sound region from Lopez Island to Point Defiance.

Regular ferry customers know to travel early or late to avoid the longest waits when headed westbound for a long weekend. The return trip depends on what day customers plan to travel. On Monday, July 4, WSF recommends traveling before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. On Tuesday, July 5, WSF encourages customers who have flexibility in their schedules to travel after the morning commute.

The heaviest traffic is expected westbound Thursday, June 30, and Friday, July 1, and eastbound Tuesday, July 5. Sailing schedules will vary by route. Customers should check the website for traffic updates.
Anacortes/San Juan Islands
The annual Lopez Island fireworks display will attract a large crowd on Monday, July 4. Travelers should plan for delays as traffic will be heavy. WSF encourages customers to walk on instead of taking their vehicles. Paid parking is available at the Anacortes Terminal. The Anacortes/San Juan Islands route will operate on its regular summer sailing schedule throughout the long weekend.

Port Townsend/Coupeville
The Port Townsend/Coupeville route will operate on its regular summer sailing schedule throughout the long weekend. Reservations are available online or by calling 511.

Mukilteo/Clinton
The Mukilteo/Clinton route will operate on its regular summer sailing schedule throughout the long weekend.

Edmonds/Kingston
The Edmonds/Kingston route will operate on its regular summer sailing schedule throughout the long weekend. Offloading from the 12:05 p.m. and 12:40 p.m. sailings to Kingston on July 4 will be delayed for Kingston’s annual Fourth of July Parade, which passes near the terminal. Customers trying to catch the 12:50 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. departures from Kingston to Edmonds also may be delayed because of the parade.

Seattle/Bainbridge Island
The Seattle/Bainbridge Island route will operate on its regular summer schedule throughout the long weekend. Expect heavy ferry traffic on Sunday, July 3, as Poulsbo hosts its popular “Fireworks on the Fjord” event.

Seattle/Bremerton
The Seattle/Bremerton route will operate on its regular summer sailing schedule throughout the long weekend.

Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth
The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will operate on a holiday (weekend) schedule on Monday, July 4.

Point Defiance/Tahlequah
The Point Defiance/Tahlequah route will operate on its regular summer weekend schedule on Monday, July 4, providing an extra midday round trip (12:35 p.m. from Point Defiance and 1 p.m. from Tahlequah).

WSF also reminds ferry customers that illegal fireworks cannot be transported on Washington state ferries. This includes bottle rockets, firecrackers, missiles, rockets, chasers and salutes. If a Washington State Patrol explosive detection canine detects a vehicle carrying illegal fireworks, they will be confiscated.

For more ferry system information, please visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.

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