Project news

• Following a round of virtual community meetings in March, we’ve launched three advisory groups to help shape the project. Learn more about the advisory group process, including who’s involved and how to follow along with their work.
• Send us an email to subscribe to project updates, request a briefing for your group or organization, or share questions or comments with us or the advisory groups.
• While project planning, design and construction take place, we will continue to actively monitor and maintain the Fauntleroy terminal to ensure ongoing safe operations.

Overview

The SR 160 - Fauntleroy Terminal - Trestle & Transfer Span Replacement project will address the deficiencies of the aging and seismically vulnerable terminal in order to maintain safe and reliable service between West Seattle and destinations on Vashon Island, the Kitsap Peninsula and beyond. The Fauntleroy terminal was built in the 1950s and needs substantial preservation work. This project was identified in the WSF 2040 Long Range Plan given the preservation need and long-established operational constraints and inefficiencies of the terminal.

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. 

Needs & Benefits

Community engagement

This project will build on past community engagement to look at ways to address preservation needs and alleviate the current operational issues at the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Community engagement is at the core of how we develop this project so we can make sure the options we consider are the right fit for the communities served by the terminal.

You can view videos of our project kick-off virtual community meetings or read a summary of the comments and questions we received. You will need to sign in with your name and a valid email address to view each video. 

• Mar. 17, 2021 meeting video
• Mar. 18, 2021 meeting video
• Mar. 17 and Mar. 18, 2021 comment summary (pdf 410 kb).

In addition to broad and inclusive outreach with communities served by and adjacent to the terminal, we have convened a Community Advisory Group, Executive Advisory Group and Technical Advisory Group to help shape the project. Learn more about the advisory group process, including who’s involved and how to follow along with their work.

Upcoming community engagement activities in 2021:

• Meeting with technical, executive and community advisory groups to help advise WSF during this project (ongoing).
• Hosting virtual public meetings for the community to be engaged in generating ideas and sharing input about which issues should be addressed in this project and what potential solutions might be (Fall 2021).
• Presenting to community organizations to share updates, answer questions and hear feedback (ongoing). Send us an email if your group would like a project briefing.

This project to replace the Fauntleroy Terminal follows nearly three years of work, between fall 2016 and spring 2019, with communities to develop and implement nearer-term operational improvements at the terminal and schedule changes for the "Triangle" route (pdf 1.58 mb).

Timeline

• Fall 2016-2019 – Near-term operational improvements at the dock
  • 2017 – Implemented short-term operational adjustments
  • 2019 – Launched new sailing schedule for ”Triangle” route
• Late 2020- mid-2023 – Planning phase
  • 2021 – Launched community engagement for the project
• 2023-TBD – Environmental review, design and construction (schedule will depend on the results of the planning phase)

Funding

The Washington State Legislature has approved $93 million for the project, included in the annual Transportation Plan. Currently, funding for construction is identified for 2025-2027.