Remodeled Colman Dock reopens with ‘vast’ improvements
Nov 18, 2022, 11:30 AM | Updated: 11:39 am
Photo from Washington State Ferries
After starting construction in 2017 to improve the “aging and seismically vulnerable” Colman Dock, the new and improved ferry terminal reopened Friday.
The terminal acts as a Seattle hub for the Washington State Ferry system, the largest ferry system in the nation, transporting passengers to Bremerton and Bainbridge Island.
Washington State Ferries to get $38 million in federal funding to upgrade equipment
Good morning! #ColmanCountdown: The #NewSeattleFerryTerminal opened with this morning’s sailings. It’s filled with natural light, comfy seating and views to Elliott Bay and the city. pic.twitter.com/KftaO4z2Lq
— Washington State Ferries (@wsferries) November 18, 2022
“The new passenger building is a vast improvement over the old one. It fully faces the water, with 4,230 square feet of windows looking onto Elliott Bay and the city. Clerestory windows above bathe the space in natural light. Passengers have more than 20,000 feet of space to spread out as they await the ferry to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island,” the Washington State Department of Transportation wrote in their update on the construction.
The upgrades saw a series of new improvements to the dock, including 20,026 square feet of passenger space — room for 1,900 ferry riders, 12 turnstiles for each route, and triple the seating capacity in the terminal. Other improvements include improved ticket booths, new elevator access, and a new bicycle entry.
“Just in time for busy Thanksgiving travel, we are thrilled to welcome passengers on two of our busiest ferry routes into the completed Colman Dock terminal building and reach yet another milestone for the Colman Dock project,” said David Sowers, director of terminal engineering. “We thank customers for their patience during construction and hope they enjoy the new space, amenities and expansive views of Elliott Bay and the downtown Seattle skyline.”
The completed project can accommodate 10 million passengers annually.
Construction will continue while the ferry dock is operating, with additional elevator access and 10 food and retail vendors in the terminal building.
