WSDOT Projects

  Proposed location for new Mukilteo Terminal

Compare the two alternatives under study in the EIS: Compact Alternative and  Upland Alternative

Project Facts

• Construction could begin as early as 2011 with completion by 2013. The schedule for construction is dependent on:
  ◦ Transfer of the Tank Farm property from the U.S. Air Force to the Port of Everett as mandated by federal legislation
  ◦ Completing legislatively mandated WSF system-wide tasks prior to the 2009 legislative session related to the planning of the new Mukilteo terminal
  ◦ Evaluating the project alternatives and other design options for cost reductions
  
• The new terminal will provide a direct connection to Sound Transit's commuter rail station
• The Mukilteo/Clinton Route for 2006 had 4,080,872 total riders 

Why is WSDOT improving the Mukilteo Terminal?

Washington State Ferries (WSF) has operated a ferry route between Mukilteo and Clinton (on South Whidbey Island) since 1951. The ferry route is a major transportation corridor, carrying approximately four million passengers and two million vehicles per year. The existing Mukilteo ferry terminal needs to be improved for a number of reasons:

• The existing terminal does not efficiently handle pedestrian and vehicle users and cannot meet future ferry safety and security requirements.
• The existing facility does not provide direct access to train and bus connections. Mukilteo is at the convergence of ferry, highway and rail transportation corridors. It has great potential as a multimodal hub in the regional transportation system.
• Ferry operations at the current location create congestion on local roads.
• Service reliability is impacted by inadequate capacity for vessel landing and loading/unloading.
• Current ferry ridership exceeds the existing terminal’s capacity. As ridership grows, delays to riders will increase.
• The dock and offshore structures need major repairs.

What is WSDOT doing to improve the Mukilteo Terminal?

WSDOT/WSF and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are planning to build a new multimodal ferry terminal in Mukilteo The new terminal, along with the planned Sound Transit Commuter Rail station, will be co-located on the former Mukilteo Tank Farm property, just east of the current facility. Features of this new terminal include:

• A new ferry dock with two ferry slips
• A new ferry terminal building
• A parking garage
• An access road with an "overflow" lane and transit and carpool bypass
• Direct connections between the ferry terminal, Sounder station and a bus transit center
• Overhead loading providing the ability to load passengers and vehicles simultaneously
• Holding capacity for two boatloads of waiting vehicles
• Four tollbooths with HOV priority lanes
• Bike facilities with bike staging
• Pedestrian promenades

The End Result

The project will improve transportation safety and operations at the Mukilteo ferry terminal for passengers, vehicles, transit and bicycles. It will rebuild the ferry terminal at a new site to accommodate both vessel landing and expanded transportation access to connect ferry customers with other travel modes.

Additionally, the new ferry terminal will provide traffic congestion relief in the community, expand public access to the waterfront, and support projected growth in riders and vehicles through 2030.

The terminal will also be designed to accommodate future improvements to ferry service to further enhance safety and alleviate traffic congestion.

Project Benefits

• Increased operational efficiency and safety: The proposed improvements will separate ferry and local traffic, as well as vehicular and non-vehicular modes of ferry traffic.
• Regional transportation system: The new multimodal terminal will serve as a hub in the regional transportation system, linking the ferries with various forms of transportation, including the Sound Transit Sounder Station and a new bus transit center.
• Congestion relief: Relocation of the terminal and expansion of its vehicle holding capacity will relieve congestion on local streets. A new road will be constructed from the Mukilteo Speedway (SR 525) to the terminal. The road will have a lane for local traffic and an overflow lane for ferry traffic. Ferry traffic will be taken away from the heart of Downtown Mukilteo.  
• The dock will have two slips to land ferries, increasing WSF's ability to maintain service and reliability should a ferry or the dock need repairs or maintenance. The second slip, expanded vehicle holding space, and the facilities to expedite loading and unloading pedestrian riders will provide the terminal capacity needed should a third vessel be added to the route.
• Amenities: The new terminal will contain space for passenger amenities, such as food and retail.
• Opportunity for community enhancements: Located outside Mukilteo’s downtown retail area, the new ferry terminal will free up valuable waterfront property that can be used by the City of Mukilteo for commercial and recreational purposes. The ferry terminal improvements will minimize conflict with local development plans.

What is the project timeline?

The project schedule is being revised in response to 2007 legislative direction. The environmental process continues with additional investigations and studies. The draft environmental impact statement will be released upon completion of these activities.

Public Involvement

The project is undergoing an environmental review process according to the National and State Environmental Policy Acts (SEPA/NEPA). The draft document will analyze potential project impacts and will be available for public review and comment. The public, federal and state regulatory agencies, tribes and community groups will be informed and consulted throughout the process.

Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Public participation opportunities, including public meetings, will be offered throughout the process. Please contact Washington State Ferries at mukilteoproject@wsdot.wa.gov for more information about project involvement.

Environmental Protection

WSDOT is committed to improving the ferry terminal in an efficient, safe and environmentally responsible way. The project will be designed to meet the Department of Ecology and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations to protect water quality, and comply with the Endangered Species Act to protect marine and terrestrial habitats. WSDOT will remove creosote-treated timber structures over and in-water, and build new structures made of concrete and steel. We are also analyzing the potential for minimal over water dock coverage for vessel landing. Overall, the increased travel efficiency and reduced congestion will support air quality
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities

• Separating pedestrians and vehicles reduces the potential for conflicts.
• Adding vehicle holding capacity reduces queues, which improves local traffic access and minimizes the risk of accidents.
• Site circulation enhancements improve traffic flow.
• Adding pick-up and drop-off facilities offer greater protection to customers.
• Replacing older structure reduces the risk of failure of terminal systems.
• ADA improvements 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 local tribes. WSDOT works to address the tribe’s concerns.

The process begins during the project development phase. WSDOT sends letters to impacted tribal councils introducing the proposed project and providing an informational package that includes project concepts, figures, a summary of environmental issues, permit applications and mitigation plans. 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. 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 provided $5.1 million for the 2007-2009 biennium for the project. Most of this funding is dedicated to the environmental process. 

How can I get more information?
Contact:

Joy Goldenberg
WSF Customer & Community Relations
206.515.3411
mukilteoproject@wsdot.wa.gov

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