PORT TOWNSEND — Washington State Ferries officials, who have received several suggestions to move Port Townsend’s terminal out of downtown, are studying such an option.
But moving the terminal south is considered a long-term alternative, and it could take 20 years because of existing cost limits, said Hadley Greene, public involvement manager with Washington State Ferries.
Following a public outreach effort that included two public forums and a comment period, the ferries agency received 47 written and verbal comments from Port Townsend and Jefferson County residents through Nov. 15.
Comments are part of the state gearing up to expand Port Townsend’s terminal.
The latest design proposes extending the dock 180 feet out into Port Townsend Bay, relocating Rotary Park to the south side of the terminal entrance, moving toll booths side-by-side, and creating a remote car-holding area on the east side of Sims Way fronting the Port of Port Townsend boat yard.
Terminal car holding
With the public comment period past, ferry system officials are now conducting an environmental review process.
The environmental study, which should be complete in June and followed by another public forum in Port Townsend, will now consider the alternative of moving the ferry landing south of Port Townsend.
“We are going to look at it in the environmental document, which we did not originally intend to do,” said Greene.
Hadley said Washington State Ferries would also be working closely with the city of Port Townsend and the state Department of Transportation to address traffic concerns registered by residents.
As proposed, a $35 million expansion would avoid harmful environmental effects on eelgrass beds around the terminal. Those beds are disturbed by ferry boat “prop wash” at the existing terminal.
Ferry system officials also propose moving the car-holding area from its existing Indian Point location a half-mile south because of shoreline commercial development now in the works.
Holding area planned
A holding area for about 80 vehicles would be relocated to a 1,000-foot stretch of East Sims Way, south of Benedict Street. A two-lane holding area would be built near an existing row of poplars fronting the Port of Port Townsend’s boat yard.
The new proposal would increase vehicle holding at the terminal from 100 to 170 spaces, leaving 30 spaces on the street near the terminal.
Moving the park south of the terminal would straighten terminal exit lanes, which large commercial tractor-trailer drivers say are a challenge to maneuver.
The existing ferry terminal waiting room would remain, as proposed, but a covered pedestrian waiting area would be added for foot passengers.
Comments reviewed
Of the 47 public comments received, 17 suggested alternate locations for the ferry terminal, citing reasons such as local traffic and congestion, and the effects on historic downtown.
Several also voiced support for keeping the terminal downtown.