SR 160 - Fauntleroy Terminal - Trestle & Transfer Span Replacement

Project news

Apply now to be part of the project Community Advisory Group. We need your help determining the future of the terminal! Applications accepted through Friday, April 23. To request an alternate format, please email FauntleroyTermProj@wsdot.wa.gov.
On Mar. 17 and 18, we held two virtual community meetings to kick-off the planning process. Video recordings of both meetings are available now.
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).
We are committed to robust, transparent, and equitable engagement for the project. Send us an email to subscribe to regular project updates.
While project planning, design and construction take place, we will continue to actively monitor and maintain the terminal infrastructure 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

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, including:
- Challenges with vehicles queuing on Fauntleroy Way, with only one shoulder holding lane to serve two destinations.
- A small terminal, with only enough dock space for approximately 80 cars, that is served by three 124-car Issaquah class ferries using a single slip.

Community engagement

Apply now to be a part of our Community Advisory Group. Applications accepted through April 23, 2021.

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).

Since fall 2016, the Fauntleroy, Vashon Island and Southworth communities have worked with WSF on improvements to the "Triangle" route and the agency’s 2040 Long Range Plan. Working closely with the Triangle Task Force and gathering input from the communities through frequent open houses, and online engagement, we’ve received lots of feedback on operations and constraints of the Fauntleroy terminal.

This project will build on past community engagement to look at ways to alleviate the current operational issues and address preservation needs at the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Community engagement will be 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.

Upcoming engagement activities in 2021:

Launching technical, executive and community advisory groups to help advise WSF during this project.
Hosting virtual community meetings this summer to generate ideas and seek input on which issues should be addressed in this project.
Presenting to community organizations to share updates, answer questions and hear feedback. Send us an email if your group would like a project briefing.

Timeline

Fall 2016-2019 – Near-term operational improvements at the dock
- 2017 – Implemented short-term operational adjustments
- 2019 – Launched new sailing schedule for Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route
2020-2023 – Planning and environmental review for terminal preservation project
- 2021 – Launch community engagement for the project
2023-2025 – Design and construction planning
2025-2027 – Construction

Future dates tentative based on impacts from COVID-19.

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.