Orcas Island ferry terminal repairs could take 2 weeks as large vehicles remain restricted

Repairs to the Orcas Island ferry terminal’s transfer span could take up to two weeks after engineers found cracks in two supporting steel beams, according to an update Tuesday from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Vehicle restrictions began Monday. Only standard vehicles measuring 22 feet or less can load and unload at the terminal while the restrictions remain in place.

Design work is complete, and crews will use bolted connections and steel plates instead of welding to speed up repairs. A contractor is scheduled to begin installing scaffolding Tuesday.

Officials are exploring ways to shorten the repair timeline and allow larger vehicles to cross before the work is finished.

Restrictions affect ferry trips to Orcas Island

Vehicles longer than 22 feet will not be loaded at the Anacortes, Shaw, Lopez, or Friday Harbor terminals for trips to Orcas Island. Customers with existing reservations for those vehicles will not be charged a no-show fee.

Drivers crossing the Orcas Island terminal’s transfer span must travel no faster than 5 mph and stay on its east side. That means keeping left while loading onto a ferry and right while unloading.

The restrictions are intended to prevent further damage and keep the structure safe until repairs are complete.

Cracks found beneath vehicle wheel path

Engineers discovered the cracks during a routine inspection using a special truck to examine the underside of the transfer span.

The cracks were in two steel beams, called stringers, beneath one of the vehicle wheel paths. Those beams help support the movable section of the terminal bridge, which raises and lowers to meet the ferry.

Officials said they will share additional information as it becomes available, including options for transporting larger vehicles to and from Orcas Island.

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