Brace for partial closure of Mukilteo ferry lane

Ferry riders this week might want to be aware of a partial lane closure on the other side.

Ferry riders headed over to the mainland this week might want to be aware of a partial lane closure on the other side.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, construction work to widen a sidewalk near the Mukilteo ferry terminal will take place, and traffic using the ferry lane between First and Third streets in Mukilteo will be redirected by law enforcement between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The narrow sidewalk in question crosses a bridge over the train tracks on the northbound side of the road. The project will add 4 feet of width, for a total width of 7 and a half feet. ADA-compliant curb ramps will also be constructed.

The lane closure does not affect the vehicle holding lanes past the ticket booth, confirmed Justin Fujioka, a spokesperson for Washington State Ferries.

Fujioka advised drivers to get into the ferry lane before the traffic light on Fifth Street, just like they normally would.

“If you do see a line of cars backed up and it’s on the hill, that’s the end of a line,” he said.

People traveling by foot, bike or other mobility devices should follow the sidewalk along the southbound Highway 525 bridge, using crosswalks at the Fifth Street and First Street intersections to cross the street.

The daylight lane closure ends Nov. 21. David Rasbach, a communications person for the state Department of Transportation, said there are no current plans to continue construction through the Thanksgiving holiday, thankfully.

Some nighttime closures will occur in December, however.