Date:  Friday, May 23, 2008

Contact:
Susan Harris-Huether, Senior Customer Programs Manager, 206.515.3460

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND - Changes are in store at the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal beginning Thursday, May 29. To improve safety and efficiency for our customers, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division has constructed a system of new crossings, pathways and signals for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Ferries Division terminal agents and Washington State Patrol (WSP) will be on-hand the afternoon of May 28 through Friday, May 30 and then again on Monday, June 2 through Wednesday, June 4, to help guide customers through the improvements.

“These improvements will provide for greater efficiency and improved safety for our customers using the terminal,” said David Moseley, Ferries Division Assistant Secretary. “We recognize this is a period of adjustment and we will be working with our customers to make this successful.”

Here’s what you can expect:        

Pedestrians

• A new, signalized crossing at Harborview Drive and Olympic Drive will provide a safer pedestrian experience. Before crossing, pedestrians will push the pedestrian crossing button and wait for the walk signal.
• While waiting to cross, pedestrians will have an additional refuge area on the south side of both the Harborview Drive and Olympic Drive intersections.

Bicyclists

• A new 10-foot, two-way bicycle lane is provided from Harborview Drive along the southern edge of the vehicle holding area to the front of the holding lanes near the vessel. Bicyclists can use this lane for access to Harborview Drive and the waterfront trail that connects to downtown Winslow.
• Bicyclists riding down SR 305 to Olympic Drive will stay on the right-hand side of the toll plaza to bypass holding lane vehicle traffic and minimize unsafe interactions with off-loading traffic.

Drivers

• Drivers will need to watch for a new traffic signal at Harborview Drive for the pedestrian crossing.
• During the commute period, high-occupancy vehicles will now be directed into Lane 1 rather than Lane 6 to allow bicyclists to gain access to the new bike lane on the lower dock. In addition, this will minimize queuing by speeding up the vehicle loading and processing.

WSF constructed these improvements from June 2007 to May 2008 after a coordinated effort with a number of partner agencies. The safety improvements stem from a 2004/2005 workgroup comprised of WSDOT Olympic Region, WSDOT Ferries Division, City of Bainbridge Island, Kitsap Transit, and law enforcement. All parties endorsed this plan as a way to reduce potential unsafe traffic patterns and interactions between pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists during the vessel loading and unloading.

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