After months of struggling to meet demand for sailings across Puget Sound with fewer and fewer operational ferries from its rapidly aging fleet, today WSDOT announced it actually had enough decommissioned ferries now to build a whole floating bridge out of them.
“There’s more than one way to restore the Elwha, and we’re going to prove it by building a roadway that runs along the top of it as well as all your favorite retired ferry vessels,” said WSDOT engineer Mike Skaggs. “Why wait for those five hybrid electric ferries in 2030 when we can have a bridge made out of ferries to the Kitsap Peninsula right now? The floating bridge thing works so well on Lake Washington, we’re even thinking of adding a light rail route onto it!”
People who regularly cross the Sound for commutes and recreational weekend trips said they were glad they no longer had to wait in long lines for late ferries.
“Honestly, catching a glimpse of the Seattle skyline fading in the distance and whales jumping in the water while riding ferries across the Sound was just getting kind of old,” said Rebecca Christensen while waiting to board a ferry in her car this morning. “I’m excited to get stuck in traffic jams on it while feeling pods of orcas try to batter the giant boats beneath me to pieces.”
After hearing the news, Seattle residents are reportedly considering building a similar new floating bridge across Lake Union made of decommissioned kayaks and paddle boards people only used once.
