Milestone for Fauntleroy ferry terminal project, and what’s next

Washington State Ferries has announced a milestone for the Fauntleroy ferry terminal replacement project. The next step is construction of the traffic signal where the dock meets Fauntleroy Way SW – above is a rendering of the intersection with the signal – but here’s what else is happening, as announced by system leader Steve Nevey:

Our Fauntleroy terminal replacement project has completed its planning phase. The Federal Highway Administration recently approved the final Planning and Environmental Linkages study, closing a five-year process of exploring options for replacing the terminal. Based on community feedback, we are moving forward with a design that adds more dock space and increases capacity from about 80 to 124-155 vehicles. This option also avoids impacts to nearby Cove Park, and we will continue refining the design to reduce effects on other sensitive areas. Later this year, the project will enter the National and State Environmental Policy Act phase. This is when we’ll begin preliminary design, complete environmental review and permitting, and continue seeking funding. Major construction is expected to begin in 2028. The new terminal is expected to open around 2031.

WSF says the signal construction, meantime, is expected now to start this fall. Also happening right now, the state is in the permit process to convert the beach house immediately north of Cove Park into an office for the project, among other potential uses.

12 Replies to "Milestone for Fauntleroy ferry terminal project, and what's next"

  • Eric1 March 27, 2026 (3:23 pm)

    Not sure if a traffic officer was there from year one (1951) but how many years of salary was paid before the ferry system recognized that a simple traffic light was a better long term investment?  Not to mention the safety factor for pedestrians?   

    • DRW March 27, 2026 (4:53 pm)

      Right?! 

    • Curious George March 27, 2026 (5:48 pm)

      My thought is that the officer is also a deterrent to people cutting in line.  

      • C March 27, 2026 (11:24 pm)

        Don’t worry, when someone cuts, you can tell the people working the booth and dock and I’ve seen them send them allllll the way back to the end of the line! 

    • WSP March 28, 2026 (7:03 am)

      There are state patrol officers at most every ferry terminal, at least at the larger ones/ busier times. I think the traffic control is just one part of their responsibilities. So now we’re still paying their salary, and they will have less to do.  

      • IDC9 March 31, 2026 (6:06 pm)

        Perhaps they can be redeployed to traffic enforcement. Far too many speeders and reckless drivers on our roads these days.

    • Jewels March 28, 2026 (9:38 am)

      So us Vashon residents made enough noise about line cutting they agreed to put a traffic controller officer at Fauntleroy. It proves if you make enough noise they listen! 

    • John Alfers March 28, 2026 (2:06 pm)

      The officer’s family benefits from his/her income. Having a live person is beneficial to determine when to stop the ferry traffic and let the road traffic pass, alternating. I think they can do it better than a traffic light. JA

  • Roddy3 March 27, 2026 (6:12 pm)

    So much friggin red tape. Eleven years to get this completed, when the entire Seattle portion of I-5 only took nine years.

    • Brian March 28, 2026 (9:03 am)

      Being completely sincere here when I say it is very instructive to look at the socioeconomic position of the residents of the neighborhoods Seattle leveled in order to build I-5. It possibly won’t surprise you to know they weren’t treated fairly or compensated appropriately. 

    • IDC9 March 31, 2026 (6:07 pm)

      Eleven years to get a stoplight approved isn’t just ridiculous. Its downright insanity!

  • Westender March 27, 2026 (7:50 pm)

    A traffic signal at the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal is only about 30-40 years past due. So, perfectly aligned with how things like this get done in Seattle. 

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