Welcome
Washington State Ferries (WSF) is replacing the aging Southworth terminal. This terminal is an essential piece of WSF's Triangle route, providing service between Southworth, Vashon Island and Fauntleroy. The terminal is also a hub for Kitsap Transit's (KT) Fast Ferry service to downtown Seattle. The Southworth terminal building and dock are aging and vulnerable to earthquake damage. We need to replace the terminal to continue safe and reliable ferry service. In the first phase of the project, WSF will replace the aging terminal building.
How to participate
A view of the Southworth terminal from a departing ferry
We're kicking off the Southworth Terminal Preservation Project, and we need to hear from you!
Learn about the options we're considering to replace the terminal building.
Take a brief survey, provide feedback and share more about how you use the terminal by clicking on the "survey" and "places" tabs.
Project purpose
The Southworth terminal served more than 825,000 WSF riders in 2025, including people who board by walking, biking, driving and riding transit. Since 2022, the terminal has also served as a hub for the KT Fast Ferry, providing passenger-only ferry service to downtown Seattle.
Signs of aging timber piles near the terminal buildingWSF is replacing the terminal building and timber trestle, which are aging and at risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake. With the introduction of the KT Fast Ferry, the demand and service needs at the terminal have also changed.
This project improves operations on the Triangle route and preserves and upgrades the terminal facilities consistent with WSF's 2040 Long Range Plan. All alternatives WSF is considering would address core issues to maintain safe and reliable service for our customers.
Timeline
An inside view of the Southworth terminal building
WSF will update the Southworth terminal in two phases to minimize the overall impact on operations:
- Phase one: Replace terminal building
Build new terminal building to meet current seismic, safety and operational needs. - Phase two: Replace dock structure
Replace the dock (trestle only) to meet current seismic, safety and operational needs.
WSF began work on phase one in mid-2025 and expects to complete the new terminal building by 2028. We plan to replace the dock after the terminal building is complete.
The project team is currently developing a pre-design study to evaluate options, known as alternatives, for replacing the aging Southworth terminal building. This online open house shares information about four alternatives, how WSF will study them and next steps for the project.
Pre-design study process
WSF is developing a pre-design study to evaluate alternatives to replace the Southworth terminal building. As part of the study, WSF developed four terminal building alternatives, including a No Build option. The No Build alternative is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and serves as a baseline for comparison with the other alternatives.
We are evaluating the alternatives using various factors including:
- Safety and seismic resilience
- Impacts to terminal operations
- Passenger experience and accessibility
- Cost to build and maintain
We are also considering potential impacts to the environmental resources near the terminal. Key environmental considerations include:
- Removal of creosote-treated timber piles supporting the current terminal. Creosote-treated timber is a known pollutant.
- Shoreline and nearshore marine habitats near the dock
- Wetlands, streams and steep slopes near the terminal site
- Energy efficiency of the terminal building
- Stormwater management
- Potential presence of cultural resources
We will do a more in-depth study of environmental impacts after selecting an alternative to move forward into environmental review and design.
The KT bus drop-off zone at the terminalIn response to changing demand and service needs at the terminal, WSF will work with KT to evaluate potential changes to the bus through lanes and drop-off zone. These changes would focus on improving safety and efficiency for all terminal users and would be separate from the pre-design terminal building alternatives. We will share updates on this work as it progresses.
All alternatives except No Build may include minor parking impacts. These impacts may differ slightly between alternatives.
The current terminal includes limited space for WSF administrative offices. The location of the new administrative offices is labeled on each alternative below. This office space allows WSF to run the terminal safely and efficiently.
Pre-design alternatives
Alternative 1: No Build
Alternative 1 keeps the terminal building in place with no changes. This No Build alternative serves as a baseline for comparison with the other alternatives. The WSF administrative offices would remain in the same location.
| Consideration | Results | Additional information |
|---|
| Distance for passengers to walk or roll from the terminal building to the ferry | Short | - Terminal building is located near the end of the dock
|
| Construction cost | None | - No construction under No Build option
|
| Impact to terminal operations during construction | None | - No construction under No Build option
- No expected changes to the current terminal building
- No expected changes to ferry service
|
| Vulnerability to earthquakes | High | - Terminal building remains vulnerable to earthquakes
|
| Administrative offices | Do not meet terminal staff needs and WSF requirements | |
| Maintenance costs | High | - Current terminal building will continue to decline with age
|
| Energy efficiency | Low | |
| Length of construction | N/A | |
Alternative 2: Remodel Current Terminal Building
Alternative 2 remodels the current terminal building and installs new piles (posts driven deep into the ground) to improve structural support. WSF would build a new administrative office building in a separate location.
| Consideration | Results | Additional information |
|---|
| Distance for passengers to walk or roll from the terminal building to the ferry | Short | - Terminal building is located near the end of the dock
|
| Construction cost | Medium | |
| Impact to terminal operations during construction | Medium | - Construction will occur at the current terminal building and the new administrative building
- No expected changes to ferry service
- Passengers will not be able to use the current terminal building during construction
- WSF will provide temporary facilities to meet key passenger needs during construction
|
| Vulnerability to earthquakes | Low | - Remodeled terminal building is seismically resilient
|
| Administrative offices | Meet terminal staff needs and WSF requirements | |
| Maintenance costs | Medium/high | - Remodeled terminal building will still require ongoing maintenance with age
|
| Energy efficiency | Medium | |
| Length of construction | Medium | |
Alternative 3: Replace Terminal Building Nearshore
Alternative 3 builds a new, modern terminal building near the shoreline. The new terminal building would also include space for WSF's administrative offices.
| Consideration | Results | Additional information |
|---|
| Distance for passengers to walk or roll from the terminal building to the ferry | Long | - Terminal building is located on land near the start of the dock
|
| Construction cost | Medium | |
| Impact to terminal operations during construction | Low | - Construction will be limited to the new terminal building site
- No expected changes to ferry service
- Passengers can use the current terminal building during construction
- WSF will remove the current terminal building once the new building is complete
|
| Vulnerability to earthquakes | Low | - New terminal building is seismically resilient
|
| Administrative offices | Meet terminal staff needs and WSF requirements | |
| Maintenance costs | Low | |
| Energy efficiency | High | |
| Length of construction | Medium | |
Alternative 4: Replace Terminal Building at Same Location
Alternative 4 builds a new, modern terminal building in the current location. The new terminal building would also include space for WSF's administrative offices.
| Consideration | Results | Additional information |
|---|
| Distance for passengers to walk or roll from the terminal building to the ferry | Short | - Terminal building is located near the end of the dock
|
| Initial construction cost | High | |
| Impact to terminal operations during construction | High | - Construction will occur at the site of the current terminal building
- No expected changes to ferry service
- Passengers will not be able to use the current terminal building during construction
- WSF will provide temporary facilities to address key passenger needs during construction
|
| Vulnerability to earthquakes | Low | - New terminal building is seismically resilient
|
| Administrative offices | Meet terminal staff needs and WSF requirements | |
| Maintenance costs | Low | |
| Energy efficiency | High | |
| Length of construction | Long | |
How will WSF study these alternatives?
An overhead view of the Southworth terminalThe project team is working with technical experts and agency partners to evaluate each of the four alternatives based on the criteria covered in this online open house. WSF will finalize the pre-design study by identifying one operationally efficient and seismically resilient option to carry forward into design and environmental review.
What's next?
Cars waiting at the Southworth terminal to load onto the ferryWSF expects to complete the pre-design study this spring. Check the project website to hear about the results of this work. Once the pre-design study is complete and WSF selects a terminal building alternative to move forward, we will begin the design and environmental review phase. In this phase, WSF will pursue environmental permits and approvals, including preparing a NEPA document in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). WSF will then complete the final design and advertise the project for construction.
WSF will continue to inform and engage Triangle route communities during the project.
Visit the project website to stay up to date. Please send your questions and comments any time by email to SouthworthTerminalProject@wsdot.wa.gov. If you represent a group or an organization and would like to schedule a project briefing, please reach out via email.
Share your feedback and help us learn more about how you use the Southworth terminal!
Use the "survey" tab below to share how you use the terminal and provide feedback on the terminal building alternatives.
Check out the "places" tab to leave a pin in the general area where you start/end your trips.
Thank you for visiting the Southworth Terminal Preservation Project Online Open House!
Welcome
Washington State Ferries (WSF) is replacing the aging Southworth terminal. This terminal is an essential piece of WSF's Triangle route, providing service between Southworth, Vashon Island and Fauntleroy. The terminal is also a hub for Kitsap Transit's (KT) Fast Ferry service to downtown Seattle. The Southworth terminal building and dock are aging and vulnerable to earthquake damage. We need to replace the terminal to continue safe and reliable ferry service. In the first phase of the project, WSF will replace the aging terminal building.
How to participate
A view of the Southworth terminal from a departing ferry
We're kicking off the Southworth Terminal Preservation Project, and we need to hear from you!
Learn about the options we're considering to replace the terminal building.
Take a brief survey, provide feedback and share more about how you use the terminal by clicking on the "survey" and "places" tabs.
Project purpose
The Southworth terminal served more than 825,000 WSF riders in 2025, including people who board by walking, biking, driving and riding transit. Since 2022, the terminal has also served as a hub for the KT Fast Ferry, providing passenger-only ferry service to downtown Seattle.
Signs of aging timber piles near the terminal building WSF is replacing the terminal building and timber trestle, which are aging and at risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake. With the introduction of the KT Fast Ferry, the demand and service needs at the terminal have also changed.
This project improves operations on the Triangle route and preserves and upgrades the terminal facilities consistent with WSF's 2040 Long Range Plan. All alternatives WSF is considering would address core issues to maintain safe and reliable service for our customers.
Timeline
An inside view of the Southworth terminal building
WSF will update the Southworth terminal in two phases to minimize the overall impact on operations:
- Phase one: Replace terminal building
Build new terminal building to meet current seismic, safety and operational needs. - Phase two: Replace dock structure
Replace the dock (trestle only) to meet current seismic, safety and operational needs.
WSF began work on phase one in mid-2025 and expects to complete the new terminal building by 2028. We plan to replace the dock after the terminal building is complete.
The project team is currently developing a pre-design study to evaluate options, known as alternatives, for replacing the aging Southworth terminal building. This online open house shares information about four alternatives, how WSF will study them and next steps for the project.
Pre-design study process
WSF is developing a pre-design study to evaluate alternatives to replace the Southworth terminal building. As part of the study, WSF developed four terminal building alternatives, including a No Build option. The No Build alternative is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and serves as a baseline for comparison with the other alternatives.
We are evaluating the alternatives using various factors including:
- Safety and seismic resilience
- Impacts to terminal operations
- Passenger experience and accessibility
- Cost to build and maintain
We are also considering potential impacts to the environmental resources near the terminal. Key environmental considerations include:
- Removal of creosote-treated timber piles supporting the current terminal. Creosote-treated timber is a known pollutant.
- Shoreline and nearshore marine habitats near the dock
- Wetlands, streams and steep slopes near the terminal site
- Energy efficiency of the terminal building
- Stormwater management
- Potential presence of cultural resources
We will do a more in-depth study of environmental impacts after selecting an alternative to move forward into environmental review and design.
The KT bus drop-off zone at the terminal In response to changing demand and service needs at the terminal, WSF will work with KT to evaluate potential changes to the bus through lanes and drop-off zone. These changes would focus on improving safety and efficiency for all terminal users and would be separate from the pre-design terminal building alternatives. We will share updates on this work as it progresses.
All alternatives except No Build may include minor parking impacts. These impacts may differ slightly between alternatives.
The current terminal includes limited space for WSF administrative offices. The location of the new administrative offices is labeled on each alternative below. This office space allows WSF to run the terminal safely and efficiently.
Pre-design alternatives
Alternative 1: No Build
Alternative 1 keeps the terminal building in place with no changes. This No Build alternative serves as a baseline for comparison with the other alternatives. The WSF administrative offices would remain in the same location.
| Consideration | Results | Additional information |
|---|
| Distance for passengers to walk or roll from the terminal building to the ferry | Short | - Terminal building is located near the end of the dock
|
| Construction cost | None | - No construction under No Build option
|
| Impact to terminal operations during construction | None | - No construction under No Build option
- No expected changes to the current terminal building
- No expected changes to ferry service
|
| Vulnerability to earthquakes | High | - Terminal building remains vulnerable to earthquakes
|
| Administrative offices | Do not meet terminal staff needs and WSF requirements | |
| Maintenance costs | High | - Current terminal building will continue to decline with age
|
| Energy efficiency | Low | |
| Length of construction | N/A | |
Alternative 2: Remodel Current Terminal Building
Alternative 2 remodels the current terminal building and installs new piles (posts driven deep into the ground) to improve structural support. WSF would build a new administrative office building in a separate location.
| Consideration | Results | Additional information |
|---|
| Distance for passengers to walk or roll from the terminal building to the ferry | Short | - Terminal building is located near the end of the dock
|
| Construction cost | Medium | |
| Impact to terminal operations during construction | Medium | - Construction will occur at the current terminal building and the new administrative building
- No expected changes to ferry service
- Passengers will not be able to use the current terminal building during construction
- WSF will provide temporary facilities to meet key passenger needs during construction
|
| Vulnerability to earthquakes | Low | - Remodeled terminal building is seismically resilient
|
| Administrative offices | Meet terminal staff needs and WSF requirements | |
| Maintenance costs | Medium/high | - Remodeled terminal building will still require ongoing maintenance with age
|
| Energy efficiency | Medium | |
| Length of construction | Medium | |
Alternative 3: Replace Terminal Building Nearshore
Alternative 3 builds a new, modern terminal building near the shoreline. The new terminal building would also include space for WSF's administrative offices.
| Consideration | Results | Additional information |
|---|
| Distance for passengers to walk or roll from the terminal building to the ferry | Long | - Terminal building is located on land near the start of the dock
|
| Construction cost | Medium | |
| Impact to terminal operations during construction | Low | - Construction will be limited to the new terminal building site
- No expected changes to ferry service
- Passengers can use the current terminal building during construction
- WSF will remove the current terminal building once the new building is complete
|
| Vulnerability to earthquakes | Low | - New terminal building is seismically resilient
|
| Administrative offices | Meet terminal staff needs and WSF requirements | |
| Maintenance costs | Low | |
| Energy efficiency | High | |
| Length of construction | Medium | |
Alternative 4: Replace Terminal Building at Same Location
Alternative 4 builds a new, modern terminal building in the current location. The new terminal building would also include space for WSF's administrative offices.
| Consideration | Results | Additional information |
|---|
| Distance for passengers to walk or roll from the terminal building to the ferry | Short | - Terminal building is located near the end of the dock
|
| Initial construction cost | High | |
| Impact to terminal operations during construction | High | - Construction will occur at the site of the current terminal building
- No expected changes to ferry service
- Passengers will not be able to use the current terminal building during construction
- WSF will provide temporary facilities to address key passenger needs during construction
|
| Vulnerability to earthquakes | Low | - New terminal building is seismically resilient
|
| Administrative offices | Meet terminal staff needs and WSF requirements | |
| Maintenance costs | Low | |
| Energy efficiency | High | |
| Length of construction | Long | |
How will WSF study these alternatives?
An overhead view of the Southworth terminal The project team is working with technical experts and agency partners to evaluate each of the four alternatives based on the criteria covered in this online open house. WSF will finalize the pre-design study by identifying one operationally efficient and seismically resilient option to carry forward into design and environmental review.
What's next?
Cars waiting at the Southworth terminal to load onto the ferry WSF expects to complete the pre-design study this spring. Check the project website to hear about the results of this work. Once the pre-design study is complete and WSF selects a terminal building alternative to move forward, we will begin the design and environmental review phase. In this phase, WSF will pursue environmental permits and approvals, including preparing a NEPA document in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). WSF will then complete the final design and advertise the project for construction.
WSF will continue to inform and engage Triangle route communities during the project.
Visit the project website to stay up to date. Please send your questions and comments any time by email to SouthworthTerminalProject@wsdot.wa.gov. If you represent a group or an organization and would like to schedule a project briefing, please reach out via email.
Share your feedback and help us learn more about how you use the Southworth terminal!
Use the "survey" tab below to share how you use the terminal and provide feedback on the terminal building alternatives.
Check out the "places" tab to leave a pin in the general area where you start/end your trips.
Thank you for visiting the Southworth Terminal Preservation Project Online Open House!
