Wingwalls help guide the ferry safely into the dock.

Washington State Ferries (WSF ) crews will begin construction on a nearly $3 million project at the Lopez Ferry Dock on Wednesday, April 18.

WSF reports it “is improving safety at the Lopez ferry terminal by rehabilitating its existing timber floating wingwalls. Wingwalls are v-shaped structures used to guide slowing ferry boats safely into the landing docks.

“The existing timber floating wingwalls are nearing the end of their usable lives. It is now time to make much-needed improvements so they can successfully guide ferries safely and smoothly into the landing dock.

The End Result
“Crews will rehabilitate the existing structure by refurbishing the timbers, fenders and chains. They will also complete repairing and repainting work on the existing pontoons. The project will bring the wingwall condition rating from a 45 up to an 80 out of 100, adding another 20 years to the wingwall’s useful life.”

(To read the full report, go to wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr20/lopezwingwall )