By Gwen Davis

The West Seattle Transportation Coalition met Thursday evening, where the Washington State Ferries (WSF) gave a presentation about its plans for the next few decades, spanning until 2040. WSF planning manager Ray Deardorf first gave board members background info, including how the initial long-term plan was developed in 2009.

But the new plan focuses on the ferry system’s sustainability, and includes the system’s new features, such as the vehicle-registration program, the terminal info application updated daily on its website, and the new Mukilteo terminal that is being built, swapping services with the soon-to-be demolished Colman Dock.

Public meetings for the new plan will begin in April, and people can also submit comments online. The first official draft of the plan will be completed by September, and the state legislature will need to see a final plan by the beginning of 2019. Ridership is projected to rise 1.2 percent a year. South-bound traffic is expected to grow 16 percent by 2040. 

The Fauntleroy Terminal will be replaced — it was built in the 1950s — however, construction won’t start until 2025. 

Also discussed in the meeting, was the conversion of Metro Route 120 to the RapidRide H Line. (Read our previous coverage here.) Board members noted that Metro and SDOT were being receptive to community feedback, such as how many stops there should be along the corridor.