In October 2023, Forrest Jones, Skagit County Public Works Transportation Programs Section Manager, presented the Planning Commissioners the 2024 6 Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). During that meeting, Forrest discussed a new ADA barrier removal project that was going to be introduced: The ADA Transition Plan. He said they were looking for new projects, “like a sidewalk that needs a ramp.”
The current proposed plan to “improve” the Guemes Island Ferry terminal on the Anacortes side eliminates several ADA parking spots near the terminal, removes any ability to drop off passengers or supplies at the terminal by removing the temporary parking spots, and eliminates the turn around zone for the city bus, school bus, or emergency vehicles. It will also direct purchasing tickets from the new ticket booth in the center of the lower lot, which would require crossing the offloading ferry traffic to access from the three ADA parking spots next to terminal.
Please take the time to complete this survey and let Skagit County know that the current proposal is the opposite of improving ADA accessibility. Perhaps Public Works would be open to meeting with Guemes Island residents to work together to create a better solution for all prior to the project being completed.
– Cindy Kamp