New Water Taxi facility opening on Aug. 12 after one week shutdown

/ July 29, 2019

We’re almost ready to move into our new home!

The new King County Passenger Only Facility (POF) serving the Water Taxi and Kitsap Fast Ferry is expected to open Monday, Aug. 12, after a temporary suspension of service for the prior week for construction. That means there will be no Water Taxi or Kitsap Fast Ferry service between Monday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 11.

During the closure, crews will transfer equipment, set up necessary hardware for ORCA readers, and move the gangway from Pier 52 to the new facility at Pier 50.

The new terminal is a part of the Colman Dock renovation project and is a significant improvement from the old facility. Environmental work included removing creosote-treated timber piles, capping contaminated sediments, and a “Platinum” certification under the King County Green Building Program. ADA improvements include a tactile path and signage for the visually impaired, an elevator to the pedestrian bridge, and an ADA assistance station.

We look forward to opening the new terminal and thank riders for their patience as we set up the new facility. We will keep riders up-to-date via our service alerts. Alternative Metro options during Water Taxi service suspension are listed below.

How to get around while Water Taxi service is suspended

While Water Taxi service is suspended, there are options! Riders are encouraged to use one or more of the following options:

  • Buses:
    • Metro’s RapidRide C Line and routes 21, 37, 55, 56, 57, 120 and 125 connect West Seattle to downtown Seattle.
    • Route 116 connects the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal to downtown Seattle during weekday peak commuting hours.
    • Routes 118 and 119 connect Vashon Island, the Vashon Ferry Terminal and West Seattle to downtown Seattle.
    • Route 128 connects the Admiral District, Morgan Junction, High Point, Delridge, South Seattle College and White Center areas with the West Seattle Junction.
    • Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and 775 will continue to operate on their regular schedules during the closure, connecting West Seattle riders to the West Seattle Junction and Alki Beach.
  • Link light rail:
  •  Ride2 West Seattle
    • Ride2 West Seattle is a new on-demand service for people who live or work in West Seattle. It provides rides to and from Metro buses at the Alaska Junction.

Behind the scenes during construction

Below are a few photos of the new facility still under construction taken during a walk-through in early July.

View from the Alaska Way entrance to the facility.

Interior of the new facility walkway

Holding area for the new facility where stanchions and screens will indicate the correct lane for departures.

The staff office area.

The view of the waiting area from the doorway leading to the gangway.

Where the Water Taxis will dock.

 

View from the passenger walkway to the Washington State Ferries new facility.

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2 thoughts on “New Water Taxi facility opening on Aug. 12 after one week shutdown”

  1. Wish you would post a good description on how to get to the new dock on Monday morning?

    Can we access it through the ferry terminal? Is it still best to walk down the Marion Street Pedestrian Bridge or should we come down Yesler?

    Speaking of the Marion Street Pedestrian Bridge. When will the temporary bridge start being used?

  2. Hi Dave, The new terminal can be accessed by crossing Alaskan Way at Columbia or Yesler Way (opening on 8/22). Once Washington State Ferries opens up their new terminal in the next few weeks, the pedestrian bridge at Columbia will open and Water Taxi customers will be able to use that to connect to the stairs and elevators in the south west corner of Colman Dock connecting to the new passenger ferry terminal.

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