Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock Project
As you may have heard, the Seattle ferry terminal at Colman dock is being redesigned and will be rebuilt completely over the next 3-5 years. The proposed design is under review and is at the “30% design” stage. The design proposed by Washington State Ferries remains very “car-oriented” and does not reflect the growing importance of bikes as a transportation mode on this ferry route. In short, we want the design to optimize the experience for cyclists – making it safe, convenient and attractive for cyclists of all ages and abilities – in order to catalyze the continuing growth of cycling on the ferries. There are several ways to register our concerns regarding the proposed design, in person or in writing, as described below.
The Bainbridge-Seattle ferry run already has one of the largest concentrations of bike commuters anywhere in the U.S., and good things are happening on both sides of Elliott Bay to make bike commuting more attractive. New bike infrastructure on Olympic Drive at the Winslow terminal, and a protected bike lane along Seattle’s new waterfront are being planned. Thanks to improvements like these, Seattle expects bike ridership to triple in the next twenty years, and we can expect a large increase in bike commuters on the Bainbridge-Seattle ferry as well.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is missing an opportunity to contribute to this trend. The proposed design of the Colman Dock reconstruction does not include elements that effectively connect into Seattle’s new waterfront protected bike lane, minimize conflict between bicyclists and pedestrians in front of the terminal building, or make bicycling a better experience for the hundreds of new bicyclists who will be taking the ferry every day over the next twenty years. The design remains “car-oriented” in spite of the fact that there could be more bikes than cars on peak season Bainbridge commuter runs in the future.
Here’s what you can do to make sure the new Colman Dock works for bike commuters and visitors:
Attend the public hearing
Monday, April 28, 2014
4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Puget Sound Regional Council Board Room
1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle
Attend an Open House
Monday, May 5, 2014
4:00-7:00 p.m.
Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal
At the public meetings, be sure to provide your comments on the proposed design. There won’t be any “speeches,” just informal comments in a 1-on-1 setting. In your comments, ask that the design for the Colman Dock reconstruction include at least the following elements:
Two separate, automated bike entrances — north and south entrances – with separated bike lanes and holding areas to minimize conflict with motorized vehicles and pedestrians, and to maintain adequate levels of service in the future.
Connect the bike entrances seamlessly with the new waterfront protected bike lanes.
Build translucent overhead canopies for bicyclist holding areas at the edges of Colman Dock.
Utilize the most current design best practices for urban bike infrastructure.
You can also submit comments online to WSDOT at the following link: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Ferries/ColmanMultimodalTerminal/Feedback.htm
Thanks for making your voice heard and for helping improve conditions for cyclists in the Puget Sound region.
(More details on the project can be found here: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/ferries/colmanmultimodalterminal/)
