West Seattle water taxi canceled, detour bridge needs repair

SEATTLE (AP) — The West Seattle Water Taxi was canceled Thursday morning after an inspection at the Seacrest dock raised concerns that one of the pins connecting the gangway to the shore is damaged, according to King County.

KING-TV reports out of an abundance of caution, until a repair can be completed, service on the West Seattle route has been canceled until an assessment of the damage can be completed.

The Vashon route of the King County Water Taxi will continue to operate normal service. Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and 775 will continue to operate as usual in West Seattle.

King County has provided a list of alternate transit routes on its website.

The water taxi is an important link to downtown Seattle as the major bridge to West Seattle was closed March 23 because of runaway shear cracks.

Drivers using detours will face added frustration in January, when the state closes two southbound lanes of its First Avenue South Bridge for urgent repairs, The Seattle Times reported. At the First Avenue South Bridge, bearings are damaged above two piers of the southbound span, built in 1996.

The Washington State Department of Transportation anticipates two of its four lanes will be closed over four weeks, spokesperson Tom Pearce said. Four full southbound overnight closures are planned as well. Exact dates are still being determined.

All lanes of the parallel northbound span will remain open.