Ferry For Lake Washington Will Be Studied

A company with wide experience in reviewing ferry operations has been hired to investigate the possibility of ferry service or a water taxi across Lake Washington.

Sound Transit awarded the $50,000 contract to Parametrix of Sumner for a feasibility study to be completed by the end of May.

The study is divided into three phases - potential routes and needs for marine and land installations, ridership forecasts accompanied by an evaluation of potential routes, and an implementation plan.

“I think it’s going to be real interesting to see the community support,” said Jeff Peacock, who is in charge of the study. “It’s hugely critical how much support there is.”

Peacock’s previous ferry studies include work with Kitsap Transit, the state ferry system and Victoria Rapid Transit of British Columbia. He recently spent nearly two years working on the Trans-Lake Washington Study, which considered options for relieving traffic congestion.

Ferry service between the city and the suburbs on the east side of the lake could begin by the end of the year. One widely discussed route would run north of the Evergreen Point floating bridge and link Kirkland with the University of Washington campus.