07/18/2005: "The Pace In Friday Harbor To Slow?"

If we move faster, we can move more often. That was the message last Tuesday from Washington State Ferry Advisory Committee Chair Alex MacLeod when he came before the County Commissioners to report that if the "dwell time" (the time if takes for a ferry to load and unload) can be reduced in Friday Harbor, it is possible -but not certain- that one additional sailing could be added to the San Juan County route. Friday Harbor has the longest turnaround time in the state ferry system, and if the dwell time in Friday Harbor could be reduced by 15 minutes, then that may convince the Washington State Ferry system to add the extra sailing, but MacLeod pointed out that may mean only one inter-island sailing, but not an additional trip to Anacortes.

This discussion has been current for sometime, and while various means have been suggested, and tried, and abandoned, the latest attempt at speeding things up has been to use traffic control people at the main intersections of Friday Harbor. Commissioner Miller questioned the effectiveness and the ability of the individuals involved in this. Miller stated that "traffic control is not working due to lack of training". MacLeod disagreed, but did admit that the problem is ongoing, and responded to Miller that "We are pushing a rock up a hill Commissioner Miller, but I think we can shave 15 minutes off the turnaround time".

Commissioner Ranker stated that in his opinion, "when the ferry unloads I think we need to close down Spring Street for 20 minutes. We just need to deal with it". There was also some concern expressed on the subject of the cost of the program, and dismay that not all parties are paying their full share of the $18,000 commitment required to fund the program.