Vehicle restrictions continue at Orcas ferry landing

||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

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:

• Only vehicles under 22 feet in length AND under 8,000 pounds can load and unload at the Orcas terminal. Vehicles over 22 feet in length or over 8,000 pounds will not be permitted to load. Terminal staff will assess vehicles that may exceed the 8,000-pound weight limit and may deny loading if a vehicle is determined to be too heavy. 
• 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.