 In September, crews will lift and lower the new walkway structures into place. This view shows how crews will receive and stage the four large bridge spans that will make up the new overhead walkway to the ferry. This work requires using all available vehicle holding space and ferry lanes.
Drive-on ferry service between Seattle and Bainbridge Island to be closed Sept. 7-13 to install new walkway
The Bainbridge pedestrian walkway project will reach a milestone in September when work crews lift the walkway structures into place on their concrete and steel pilings. This work will happen from 1 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 to 3 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13. For these six days, we'll use the alternate one-boat sailing schedule and load only walk-on and ADA passengers via the existing walkway. There will be no drive-on passenger service between Bainbridge Island and Seattle. This includes vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and electric scooters. We will have staff on hand to assist with the anticipated uptick in walk-on ridership.
We will make accommodations for emergency medical vehicles, in coordination with local emergency services. We are also exploring additional service options on other routes and expect to release more information on that in mid-July. The decision will be based on crewing availability and the overall service restoration plan.
 This is the largest walkway span, 199 feet long and 45 tons, that will be picked up by crane and lowered into place. A total of four bridge spans weighing 114 tons and extending 339 feet will be set into place over six days in early September.
Vehicle holding becomes a staging and work zone
The top graphic shows why crews will need the entire vehicle holding area to carry out this work. The four bridge spans will arrive by barge from Tacoma and be rolled off into the ferry holding lanes as shown above. The longest span, sections 1 and 2 joined together, weighs 45 tons and measures 199 feet long and 18 feet wide. Over two days, all four spans will be lifted by cranes and set into place. The other four days are needed to erect and stage cranes and equipment, then dismantle and demobilize them.
No bicycles or scooters
We separate walk-on and ADA passengers from wheeled vehicles for passenger safety, which is why we cannot accommodate bicycles and electric scooters during the closure. With higher pedestrian volumes, it is not feasible or safe for us to mix pedestrians with bicycles and scooters both inside the ferry and in the terminal waiting areas. For those who want to store their bikes for use on either side of the route, the Kitsap Transit Bike Barn has 79 indoor and 33 outdoor bike parking spaces and we will provide a secure lock up area on the Seattle side or check into bike lockers. Another option is to walk on and use bike share in Seattle.
Alternate routes for drivers
We encourage people who normally drive aboard to walk on and use public transit in Seattle or Bainbridge Island. If you need to drive during this time, plan ahead to use one of these alternate routes:
We know this poses challenges for commuters and other travelers on this route. Working with the contractor, we strove to compress this work into a timeframe that will have the least affect on the public. There is simply never a good time to close ferry service on this busy route.
Find answers to common questions on the project website FAQs.
Seeking your input to help us with service planning
To help us with service planning during the closure, please take this customer survey and tell us how you plan to travel during this closure. Survey closes June 16 at 5 p.m.
We will release more details on possible extra service on other routes in mid-July. Find project photos on the Flickr page and info on the project website. Please share this subscriber link with others who use this route.
Stay in touch: Project website | Email box | Phone: 206-462-8866
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) information: If you would like to learn more about accessibility and tools we have available, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Accessibility
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