The first phase (2021 through early 2023) of the project is conducted as a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration per federal requirements (23 U.S.C 168 and 23 U.S.C. 139). The PEL study helps identify transportation issues, environmental concerns, community values and economic goals early in project planning. A detailed environmental review process follows a PEL study, as required by both the National Environmental Policy Act and the State Environmental Policy Act. Information gathered in the PEL study is carried forward into the environmental review process, saving time and money.
Built in the 1950s, the terminal needs substantial preservation work.
The Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal in West Seattle supports the “Triangle” ferry route, with daily ferry service between Fauntleroy, Southworth and Vashon Island. The terminal is an essential transportation hub for the region and served more than three million riders in 2019, including people who board ferries by walking, biking, driving and riding transit.
The terminal currently faces several challenges, including parts of the terminal are aging, seismically vulnerable and overdue for replacement. Rising sea levels could damage the superstructure from debris during high tides in the future. Long standing operational challenges include long lines caused by vehicles queuing on Fauntleroy Way and a small terminal with only enough dock space for approximately 80 cars and served by three 124-car Issaquah class ferries using a single slip.
This project relies on previous and future public engagement.
Project Milestones
- Fall 2016 - Launched a public process to gather community input on how to improve the "Triangle" route
- Fall 2016 - Washington State Ferries held three listening meetings in Fauntleroy, Vashon Island and Southworth communities from Oct. 24-27
- 2017 - 2018 - Two year public process to update the Triangle Route Schedule
- Fall 2017 - Implemented short-term operational adjustments
- Fall 2017 - Washington State Ferries held two public meetings from Sept. 21-22 in the Vashon Island and Southworth communities.
- Fall 2018 - WSF held three public meetings to review the draft Triangle schedule.
- Spring 2019 - Launched new sailing schedule for ”Triangle” route
- Fall 2016-2019 - Near-term operational improvements at the dock
- Spring 2021 - Launched Community Engagement
- Late 2020 to mid-2023 - Planning phase
- 2023-TBD - Environmental review, design and construction (schedule will depend on the results of the planning phase)
Fauntleroy Terminal Project - Advisory Groups
Washington State Ferries convened three advisory groups in summer 2021 to help shape the project during the planning phase. The advisory groups include representation from the three communities served by the “Triangle Route” (Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth) to encourage cross-community dialogue and the collaborative identification and development of project alternatives.
Community Advisory Group (CAG)
The CAG is comprised of people representing Ferry Advisory Committees (FAC), terminal neighbors, ferry customers, environmental and transportation organizations, and numerous other interests from the three communities served by the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route. The CAG provides feedback about project issues and concerns, community engagement efforts and potential alternatives. Following an open application process, we selected 24 members to serve on this advisory group.
Recent meeting recording
View the recording of the Wednesday, November 3 meeting of the CAG.
Upcoming meeting:
Members of the public are welcome to attend and view the CAG meetings. Advanced registration is required using the links above. There will not be time for public comments during the meeting – please email your comments to FauntleroyTermProj@wsdot.wa.gov.
CAG members:
- Ana White | Southworth resident
- Angus Macnab | King County resident/Vashon commuter student parent
- Anne Higuera |West Seattle business owner/Vashon resident
- David McDaniel | Fauntleroy and Vashon community member
- Devin Branson | Vashon resident and West Seattle commuter
- DB Gates | West Seattle resident
- Emily Scott | Vashon FAC Member, Vashon Island Foodbank Executive Director
- Fletcher Sandbeck | Kitsap resident
- Frank Immel | Fauntleroy Community Association, FAC member, neighbor
- Gary English | Vashon community member
- Greg McKinnon | Manchester resident, daily ferry commuter
- Helen Westphal | King County resident
- Jon Wright | West Seattle Transportation Coalition
- Josh Gwynn | Southworth area community member
- Judy Pickens | Fauntleroy Watershed Council
- Larry Harala | Port Orchard/Manchester area resident, FAC member
- Mardi Clements | Fauntleroy Community Association, West Seattle resident near ferry
- Michelle McCormick | West Seattle and Vashon resident
- Noelani Hatton | West Seattle resident
- Richard Thorp | Southworth area community member
- Scott Harvey | Vashon resident, irregular ferry traveler
- Susan Frith | Vashon resident/former West Seattle resident
- Victoria Nelson | West Seattle Transportation Coalition Board Member, Fauntleroy resident
Technical Advisory Group (TAG)
Comprised of technical staff from municipal, county, state, and federal agencies, federal and state resource agencies, as well as local tribes. The purpose of the TAG is to provide technical input on existing conditions, the purpose and need for the project, alternatives development and screening criteria, and the overall practicability of potential concepts, solutions and/or mitigation concepts. The TAG will meet regularly throughout the planning phase.
Recent meeting recording:
Currently the TAG includes participation from:
- Squaxin Tribe
- Stillaguamish Tribe
- Suquamish Tribe
- King County Metro
- King County Wastewater Treatment Division
- Kitsap Transit
- Kitsap County Public Works
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- Port of Seattle
- Seattle City Light
- Seattle Public Utilities
- Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
- Seattle Parks & Recreation
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Vashon Island Fire & Rescue
- Washington Department of Ecology
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- Washington State Transportation Commission
Executive Advisory Group (EAG)
Comprised of local and state appointed or elected officials, transportation agency leadership, federal partners and tribal leadership. The EAG provides advice and input on how to prioritize needs, represent their constituents’ interests, and share feedback on key policy elements and project alternatives.
Recent meeting recording:
EAG members:
- Leonard Forsman, Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe
- Sen. Emily Randall, 26th Legislative District
- Sen. Joe Nguyen, 34th Legislative District
- Rep. Eileen Cody, 34th Legislative District
- Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, 34th Legislative District
- Councilmember Joe McDermott, King County Council District 8
- Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, Kitsap County District 2
- Councilmember Lisa Herbold, City of Seattle District 1
- Sam Zimbabwe, SDOT Director
- Vacant, Federal Highway Administration Division Director
- John Clauson, Kitsap Transit Executive Director
- Terry White, King County Metro General Manager
- Patty Rubstello, WSDOT Assistant Secretary – Washington State Ferries
Questions and how to provide input
In addition to providing comments to us about the project, you’re welcome to share input with the advisory groups. They will receive regular comment summaries. To specifically share a comment with the CAG, TAG and/or EAG, send an email to the project inbox and note in the subject line you’d like to share it with the advisory groups.
For questions about advisory group process or to request prior meeting materials please email FauntleroyTermProj@wsdot.wa.gov or call 206-818-3813
This project is located at the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal in Seattle on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth "Triangle" route.
Rising sea levels impact the future of the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal.
One of biggest challenges facing the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal is sea level rise. This project will include an extensive environmental review process and plan for future impacts to the terminal due to climate change.
