Skagit County limits Guemes Island ferry vehicles to 10,000 pounds
Structural damage found during an October 26 inspection forced a temporary closure and now restricts vehicle boarding until permanent repairs are completed.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
Skagit County has implemented a 10,000-pound weight limit for vehicles boarding the Guemes Island Ferry following the discovery of structural defects in the terminal bridges. The restriction, which caps Gross Vehicle Weight Rating at five tons per vehicle, took effect for the 1:00 p.m. sailing on Thursday, October 29.
The limitations stem from a routine inspection conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation on Monday, October 26. Inspectors identified previously unknown corrosion and section loss in the structural components supporting the transfer span at the Anacortes terminal. Similar damage was subsequently discovered on the Guemes Island bridge structure during evaluations that continued into Wednesday, October 28.
Because of these findings, county engineers initially closed the bridges to ensure safety. Arrow Launch provided a temporary passenger-only service from Cap Sante to Guemes Island on the evening of October 26 and the morning of October 27. The Guemes Island Ferry resumed passenger-only operations from the Anacortes terminal starting with the 9:45 a.m. sailing on Tuesday, October 27.
To restore vehicle service, Public Works staff installed steel plates over the Anacortes bridge to improve the structural integrity of the transfer span. No such reinforcement was required for the Guemes Island transfer span. After further review, the County Engineer determined the bridges could safely support vehicle traffic under the reduced load rating.
The 10,000-pound limit applies to the manufacturer-assigned GVWR, not the actual load or operating weight of the vehicle. For drivers towing trailers, the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer must fall within this threshold. Staff also perform visual inspections of trailer contents. Vehicles suspected of exceeding the limit must present a legible manufacturer certification label to board.
The Skagit County Public Works Department is currently evaluating a long-term repair plan for both terminal bridges. The county anticipates the ferry will operate under this load restriction for several weeks until those repairs are finished. Details regarding the specific timeline for the repair work will be released in the coming days.
Source: Skagit County
