One of the original reasons for building a new, $139 million ferry terminal in Mukilteo was to improve pedestrian safety.
Some, however, worry the opposite might happen.
As it stands now, people walking to the city's waterfront navigate a narrow sidewalk, barely 3-feet wide and have to cross an intersection with their backs to two lanes traffic.
The new plan would involve crossing four lanes of traffic, according to Mukilteo Ferry Advisory Commission Chairman Kevin Stoltz.
"People are eventually gonna get hit or get killed. It's not a matter of if, it's when," said Stoltz.
The Mukilteo City Council prefers a pedestrian bridge that would run parallel to the highway and lead people safely to the waterfront.
That, however, is about $5 million more expensive.
The Department of Transportation is looking at simply widening the current sidewalk along the bridge. That, according to Stoltz, would just leave Mukilteo taxpayers on the hook to fund a fix on their own after the state's ship has sailed.
"Local taxpayers will have to pay for something the state should be responsible for," said Stoltz. "It's something that really needs to be fixed. I don't know if it will be."
A spokesman for the ferry system said the state is not responsible for funding a pedestrian bridge -- that is up to the city. He added, WSF is open to all options and regardless the terminal will be safer in every way.
The spokesman also told KING 5 that everyone from traffic engineers to first responders has approved of the project. It is scheduled to open in 2019.
