WSDOT Projects

Who uses the Anacortes Ferry Terminal?

The Anacortes Ferry Terminal is the hub for island-mainland and inter-island domestic travel in the San Juan Islands and international travel to Vancouver Island, BC.

Project Facts

• The new terminal building will connect customers via a pedestrian overpass to their vehicles in holding
• In 2004, nearly two million passengers, including over 900,000 vehicles, passed through the Anacortes terminal.
• The new terminal building will be designed to LEED Silver Standards

Why is WSDOT improving the Anacortes Ferry Terminal?

Washington State Ferries (WSF) has outgrown the existing Anacortes Ferry Terminal, which was constructed in 1960. WSF is planning a new terminal because:

• The existing facility cannot accommodate future growth in passengers and vehicles on the route.
• The terminal building is in poor condition, and has limited customer amenities.
• An additional slip is needed to improve efficiency in maintenance and operations.
• Poor site circulation causes congestion and conflicts among vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles.
• It is difficult to drive or walk around the site during vehicle loading and off-loading.  
• Pick-up and drop-off locations are not convenient to the terminal building; pedestrians must cross ferry traffic to reach the terminal.
• Loading improvements are needed for pedestrians, persons with limited mobility and bicycles.

Improvements are based on the 1997 Master Plan and guided by new WSF directives and security requirements. 

The End Result

The new terminal will improve safety and access for passengers and vehicles, provide connections with many modes of travel, and increase amenities and services at the terminal. The project will add an operational slip to avoid service disruptions and increase flexibility of service, replace an aging terminal building, improve ferry loading and unloading, and meet new required security features.

The upper parking lot construction was completed in Spring 2005. The existing gravel lot was paved and expanded to increase on-site parking. Lighting was improved and a trail from the upper parking lot to the terminal was constructed.

Project Benefits

The projects planned for the Anacortes Ferry Terminal will provide:

• Improved traffic flow for ferry users while loading and unloading the vessels
• Increased service reliability and flexibility
• Improvements to meet new security requirements
• Better access for persons with limited mobility
• Increased amenities and services for ferry customers
• Dedicated areas for loading bicycles, kayaks and walk-on passengers, allowing for safe, fast loading operations
• Improved retail space
• Easy access to customer and tourist information
• A gateway to the San Juan Islands and Sidney, B.C.

What is the project timeline?

The upper parking lot (2005) and dolphin replacement (2007) projects are complete. 

We are in the process of revising the remainder of the program given recent legislative directives.

Public Involvement

Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact the project team at anacortesproject@wsdot.wa.gov with your questions and comments on this project or to be added to the project mailing list.

Environmental Protection

The projects address environmental concerns:

• By replacing old structures made of creosote-treated timber with new structures made of concrete and steel, marine contamination from creosote-treated timber is eliminated. Creosote is a liquid that is used for preserving wood but has been found to have possible impacts on marine life.
• Through mitigation efforts, such as replanting eelgrass. Moving the slips farther offshore will encourage growth of newly planted eelgrass.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities

This project includes improvements that address safety concerns including:

• Replacing older structures reduces the risk of injuries to persons caused by failure of terminal systems and structures.
• New pick-up and drop-off facilities allow people to reach the terminal without requiring them to walk through ferry traffic.
• Improving the site circulation will address traffic flow issues and allow bicyclists and pedestrians to have safer access to the terminal.
• The new trail from the upper parking lot enables people to walk down to the terminal on a designated pedestrian path rather than requiring them to walk on the roadway.
• ADA improvements will offer greater convenience and protection to customers with special needs.

Will this project impact tribal resources?

Ferry terminal projects may impact near shore resources and habitats that are of interest to Indian tribes. WSDOT regularly works with the tribes to address their concerns. At the beginning of any project, WSDOT sends letters to impacted tribal councils introducing the proposed project. WSDOT meets with the tribe's leadership, biologists and archeologists to discuss and accommodate tribal concerns. WSDOT and tribal representatives work to find mutually agreeable solutions to issues that arise. This effort may lead to a formal agreement between WSDOT and the tribe concerning the actions WSDOT will take to mitigate the effects of its project and address other tribal concerns.

Financial Information

The 2007 Legislature funded the program in the amount of $3.9 million for the 2007-2009 biennium.  The majority of this funding will be used to complete the design of the terminal building, pedestrian overpass and pick-up/drop-off loop. 

How can I get more information?
Contact:

Joy Goldenberg
Washington State Ferries
Customer and Community Relations
2901 Third Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98121
206.515.3411
mailto:WA98121206.515.3913anacortesproject@wsdot.wa.gov

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