Gooseberry Queuing Plan Unveiled June 5

Whatcom County’s Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee will hear a presentation regarding Gooseberry Point Ferry Terminal Queuing Alternatives Assessment Analysis (AB2012-189) on Tuesday, June 5, at 1:30pm in the Council Chambers (311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham). 

Gooseberry Security, Dry Dock, Ferry Budget, LIFAC

The PLIC Board updated community members on a range of top-priority ferry issues at the PLIC meeting last Tuesday night.  Major  topics included the fast-approaching deadline  for the 2013 fiscal year ferry budget, the County’s new Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee (LIFAC) activities, security at Gooseberry Point, fares, dry dock concerns (especially many fewer parking [...]

Public Hearing to Add Gooseberry Pt. Pedestrian Facility Project to 6-Year TIP

Whatcom County Council will hear comments about proposed amendments to the 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan (2012-2017) at their meeting on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Among the proposed changes is the addition of a “Gooseberry Pt. Pedestrian Facility.” According to the supporting documents (linked below): This project is in fulfillment of the ferry lease obligation. This [...]

Design Contract for Gooseberry Pt. Wing Wall Replacement on 4/10 Council Agenda

Authorizing the County Executive to sign a $40,000 contract for the design of a replacement for the wing wall at Gooseberry Point is an item on the County Council’s agenda for Tuesday April 4. It’s part of the Consent Agenda, which means it’s expected to be passed unanimously without discussion. The design will also include [...]

Old Parking Lot Closes, New Parking Map

As planned, Public Works announced that the fenced lot will be closed as of April 16.  A new parking area is already available along Lummi Shore Road (like during dry dock; see map). Whether or not dawn-to-dusk security will be continue has not been announced yet.  The Whatcom County Ferry website has both announcements.

Possible Fare Change for Children?

On their Agenda for tomorrow night, Tuesday March 27, 2012, the County Council will introduce (not vote on) an ordinance to change ferry fares just for children (Item 2) and also to build pedestrian walkway at Gooseberry, per The Great Lease (in Item 3). Both are under “Introduction Items”. Public hearings will be scheduled, a [...]

Changes at the Mainland Docks and more

From the PLIC Board of Directors. County Public Works Director Frank Abart recently shared with a PLIC Board representative all known details about two major construction projects at Gooseberry Point ferry dock that are on the drawing board. One probably will take place soon, and the other during dry dock in September. One is the [...]

Mainland Parking – New Thoughts

Some new ideas from Rob Rich about mainland parking.  Let’s hope that the new advisory committee, once formed, will take on the challenge of examining such ideas thoroughly and work effectively and respectfully with islanders and county officials alike to come up with long-term solutions to issues like this. From Rob I am writing on [...]

Announcement: Gooseberry Pt Lot Closes Monday April 16, 2012

Here’s Public Works’ official notice about the secure (fenced) Gooseberry Pt parking lot closing on April 16, 2012.  Mike McKenzie, from private conversations with Frank Abart, has said that additional unsecured roadside parking (right side of road, past the ferry) will be added, perhaps as many as 55 spaces.

$22,500 Queuing Study Passed – Need to Monitor

Last Tuesday. Feb. 28,  2012,  the County Council passed budget authority to fund this study, the subject of two recent Ferry Forum posts (here and here)   I think we ‘mere citizens’ should do everything we can to make sure that the counting of cars in line at Gooseberry Pt and cars ‘left behind’ occurs [...]