Guemes Island Ferry Limiting Vehicle Weight to 10,000 Pounds

Skagit County has limited the Guemes Island Ferry to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. The restriction was put in place to protect the terminal bridges after inspectors discovered structural damage.

The weight limit applies to all passenger cars, trucks, vans, and light-duty work vehicles. For vehicles towing trailers, the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer must not exceed the 10,000-pound threshold. Staff will also visually inspect trailer contents. Drivers who appear to be near the limit must show a legible manufacturer label verifying the rating to board.

The process began on Monday, October 26, when the Washington State Department of Transportation performed a routine biennial inspection of the Anacortes ferry terminal bridge. Inspectors found previously unknown corrosion and section loss in the steel components supporting part of the transfer span.

Skagit County engineers ordered the terminal bridges closed immediately for further evaluation. The county hired Arrow Launch to provide a passenger-only boat service between Cap Sante and Guemes Island on the evening of October 26 and the morning of October 27.

On the morning of Tuesday, October 27, Public Works and WSDOT inspectors assessed the Anacortes bridge and cleared it for passenger-only traffic. The ferry resumed passenger service from the Anacortes terminal starting with the 9:45 a.m. sailing that day.

Inspectors continued examining both the Anacortes and Guemes Island bridges from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, October 28. They found similar damage on the Guemes Island structure. Public Works installed steel plates on the Anacortes bridge to reinforce the transfer span. No such reinforcement was needed on the Guemes Island side. The County Engineer then approved vehicle traffic under the 5-ton load rating.

Vehicle service resumed on Thursday, October 29, with the 1:00 p.m. sailing. The Skagit County Public Works Department is currently evaluating a long-term repair plan for both bridges. The county expects the load restriction to remain in effect for several weeks until repairs are complete. Updates on the repair timeline will be posted on the county website.