Colman Dock construction will affect sailing times

Construction work at the Coleman Dock will mean ferry schedule changes on Oct. 20 and 21.

According to recent Washington State Ferries press release, Bremerton and Bainbridge Island sailings will temporarily shift between five and 30 minutes as the dock undergoes renovations to bolster the seismically vulnerable terminal.

Vessels arriving at the dock will do so one at a time, sharing a single slip.

“Closing down the north half of the dock for a solid weekend allows us to get a head start on replacing the trestle, which is partly supported by 70-year-old wooden piles,” said Construction Engineer Bryant Bullamore. “This work is critical to ensure the safety of millions of people who use Colman Dock and we appreciate everyone’s patience.”

A few tips for travelers planning to cross during the construction include:

— Plan ahead. Departure times will be different on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. Check the schedule in advance.

— Arrive early in Seattle. When departing from the Colman Dock, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your sailing.

— Account for extra travel time as crossing times will be longer when the single slip is occupied.

— Check VesselWatch in order to get status updates of your ferry’s location on the route.