Cracks in Orcas Island Ferry Terminal Steel Beams: Vehicles Over 22 Feet Barred, Repairs Expected to Take Two Weeks
The transfer span at the Orcas Island ferry terminal in San Juan County, Washington, has been found to have cracks in its steel beams, and Washington State Ferries (WSF) has restricted vehicles at the terminal since November 9. The Washington State Department of Transportation said bridge engineers, using a special truck to inspect the underside of the span during a routine inspection, found cracks in two steel beams beneath one of the vehicle wheel paths.
The beams, called stringers, support the transfer span, the movable part of the terminal bridge that raises and lowers to meet the ferry so vehicles can drive on and off. The restrictions are needed to keep the structure safe and prevent further damage, and will stay in place until repairs are complete.
While the restrictions last, only standard vehicles 22 feet long or shorter can load and unload at the Orcas Island terminal. Drivers crossing the span must slow to no more than 5 mph and stay to the east side. Vehicles longer than 22 feet will not be loaded at the Anacortes, Shaw, Lopez or Friday Harbor terminals for trips to Orcas Island, and customers who already hold reservations for such vehicles will not be charged a no-show fee.
In a November 10 update, the department said the repair design is complete and crews will use bolted connections and steel plates instead of welding to speed the work. A contractor began installing scaffolding on November 10, and repairs are expected to take up to two weeks. The agency is also exploring options to let larger vehicles cross before the final repairs are finished.
(Source: Washington State Department of Transportation)
Source: Washington State Department of Transportation
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons「Orcas Island Ferry Landing」（CC BY-SA 3.0），图中为 Orcas 岛渡轮码头 Image: Wikimedia Commons, "Orcas Island Ferry Landing" (CC BY-SA 3.0), showing the Orcas Island ferry landing
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