Wheelless in Seattle: Bainbridge ferry nixes cars, bikes for a week

Brace yourselves, Bainbridge Island commuters. No cars, motorcycles, bicycles, or scooters will be allowed on the Bainbridge-to-Seattle ferry route for an entire week.

The restrictions start Thursday, Sept. 7 at 1 a.m. and will last through 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

This means the Bainbridge/Seattle ferry route will be limited to walk-on passengers only and will be reduced to a one-boat schedule.

RELATED: Colman Dock is back! Ferry riders delight in Seattle's upgraded terminal

The reason for the wheelless interruption is that work crews will be constructing a new, more fortified overhead walkway at the Bainbridge ferry terminal.

The current walkway is more than 50 years old and is supported by wood pilings. Officials are concerned that these piling could collapse during an earthquake. The plan is to replace them with a steel-fortified walkway, anchored by concrete and steel columns. which will be designed to hold up against tremors.

Pedestrians will also be able to use this new walkway at the same time vehicles are loading on the car deck, making for speedier boarding.

Big picture: It's good news as this route is starting to see a return to pre-pandemic levels of walk-on ridership. According to WSDOT, more than 3.2 million people used the Bainbridge terminal walkway each year before the Covid-19 pandemic.

During Bainbridge's week of no cars and bikes, a third ferry will be added to the Edmonds/Kingston route when available. The extra boat will not run on a set schedule, though.

Passengers with single or multi-ride tickets for the Seattle/Bainbridge route will be able to use them instead on the Edmonds/Kingston, Seattle/Bremerton or Fauntleroy/Southworth routes at no extra cost, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

RELATED: Washington can now look to out-of-state shipbuilders for its next ferries

More information about the temporary closure to vehicles in available here, including parking availability and public transit options for walk-on passengers coming into Seattle.