Water Taxi preparing for 200 percent more riders during viaduct closure

The two-week closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct starting Friday will have major traffic ripple effects including thousands of people using the King County Water Taxi.

“It’s going to be chaos,” said Mike Nichols who rides the Vashon to Seattle water taxi daily. ”Going to get here earlier, try to get a spot.”

Related: WSDOT keeping close eye on viaduct

Paul Brodeur with King County Department of Transportation told KIRO 7 they’ve been preparing for several years, knowing the viaduct would close while the tunnel boring machine Bertha drills underneath.

That plan includes five additional departures for the Vashon route, 2 from Vashon in the morning and three from Seattle in the evening.

“We expect increases in our ridership of over 200 percent,” said Brodeur.

For perspective, the 8:15 a.m. water taxi from Vashon Monday carried 166 passengers to Seattle. Capacity on the two new larger vessels is 278.

The West Seattle route to downtown Seattle will have 360 additional parking spots to accommodate more riders. The city of Seattle is opening 120 spots along Harbor Avenue for parking, and 40 more spots will be available just south of Salty’s Restaurant.

Right across from the 7-Eleven on Harbor Avenue is Pier 2, owned by the Port of Seattle. Normally, it’s gated off, but it will open for 200 additional Water Taxi spots during the viaduct closure. The gates will close at 9:15 a.m. and won’t open back until 4 p.m. So this is for all day commuters, and you won’t be able to access your car in the meantime.

Brodeur warns even if Friday’s commute isn’t bad, he expects the real test next week.

“I think Monday is going to be that real a-ha moment for everybody,” Brodeur said. “They’re going to say ‘Wow, I wish I would’ve stuck with the plan.’ So we’re encouraging folks to get a plan and stick with the plan for several days.”

You can find information on schedules, fares, and parking at this website.