During a recent inspection, engineers found cracks in the steel under the transfer span, the part of the slip that raises and lowers to meet up with the ferry to allow vehicles to drive on and off.
Repair update, Nov. 13: Repairs to the initial cracks are progressing well but have been delayed by weather. High winds are creating safety concerns with the project scaffolding and could continue to affect work over the weekend. During the work, crews also found additional damage to other parts of the bridge. WSF is developing a repair plan and determining how long it will take to get the parts needed. Engineers are also evaluating whether vehicle restrictions can be adjusted once the initial repairs are complete. An update will be provided Monday, Nov. 16.
We have implemented vehicle restrictions at the Orcas terminal:
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- Vehicle speed is limited to 5 miles per hour while loading and unloading.
- Vehicles must stay on the east side of the terminal bridge (left during loading and right during unloading.)
Any vehicles over 22 feet in length or over 8,000 pounds that are heading to Orcas Island will not be loaded at Anacortes, Shaw, Lopez, or Friday Harbor. For customers with reservations of vehicles 22 feet in length and over, no-show fees will not be charged.
For customers with larger vehicles who cannot currently load at Orcas, please talk with terminal employees about parking options at the terminal and throughout the island. San Juan County has also shared a list of barge operators if customers need to leave Orcas Island before repairs are completed at the terminal.
These restrictions are needed to maintain safe terminal operations. We'll continue sharing updates on the repairs, which may still take up to two weeks from when we began work on Nov. 9. We'll also continue updating this blog post about the restrictions and repairs.
Update - The overhead passenger loading ramp at the Edmonds terminal is back in service.
are now open for booking through our winter sailing season (Dec. 27 through March 20, 2027).
For the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route, some days in February and March 2027 will not be available to book reservations for Orcas and Lopez due to construction on the vehicle transfer span at several terminals. The two-week and two-day reservation releases will remain at 7 a.m.
The city of Bainbridge is completing a construction project to remove the right turn lane on eastbound Winslow Way at the intersection with Olympic Drive / Hwy 305. Construction is scheduled overnight from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting Monday night, Nov.16 through Friday morning, Nov. 20.
For people biking or walking to the ferry or near the intersection, please follow signs to travel around the construction. Customers driving to the ferry should not be impacted by the work. Right turns into the ferry line are already prohibited at the location.
Beginning Sunday, Nov. 1, the SR 536 Skagit River/Division Street Bridge in Mount Vernon will be closed in both directions to vehicles for at least two weeks for painting and preservation work. Weather could extend the closure.
Travelers using SR 536 to go to and from the Anacortes or Coupeville ferry terminals must follow the signed detour via I-5 and SR 20. Please allow extra travel time, especially if you have a vehicle reservation. For more information, visit the WSDOT project page.
Update - Both passenger elevators on the Suquamish are repaired and back in service.
The passenger elevator on the Kennewick is out of service. Please contact the crew if you need to use the freight elevator although this elevator is not ADA accessible. We'll provide updates as conditions change.
In early 2027, we’ll replace the major mechanical and electrical systems of the vehicle transfer span at our Anacortes, Lopez, and Orcas terminals. The transfer span is the part of the terminal dock that raises and lowers to meet the ferry to allow vehicles to drive on and off.
What to expect in early 2027 during terminal construction
- Anacortes single slip operations, Monday–Friday, Feb. 22–26
- Orcas Island 48-hour closure, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 9–10
- Lopez Island 48-hour closure, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16–17
Ferries will run on their regular schedules but will not stop at Orcas or Lopez during the closure dates. Vehicle reservations will not be available for Orcas and Lopez sailings on the days those terminals are closed. We do not expect Anacortes reservations to be impacted.
Please visit the project webpage for more information. We’ll also keep you updated on this project through additional rider alerts, the WSF Weekly email, and social media.