Congestion and heavy traffic is expected at all WSDOT Ferries Division terminals over Memorial Day weekend, particularly on the afternoon and evening of Friday, May 23 and on Monday, May 26.

The following changes have been made to the Anacortes – San Juan Islands ferry route:

On Thursday, May 22, the Sealth, which is working as the inter-island ferry in the San Juan Islands, will drop off traffic at Lopez Island at 7:05 p.m. and head to Anacortes to make an extra 8 p.m. sailing to Friday Harbor. The Hyak will pick up traffic at Lopez at 7:25 p.m.

On Friday, May 23, the Chelan will make an extra sailing to Lopez Island at 3 p.m.

On Monday, May 26, the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes will operate on a Sunday schedule, which will provide an additional sailing from Orcas Island in the afternoon at 4:15 p.m. The inter-island ferry Sealth will pick up Anacortes bound vehicles out of Friday Harbor at 5:40 p.m., Orcas vehicles bound for Anacortes at 6:30 p.m., Shaw traffic at 6:45 p.m. and Lopez traffic at 7:05 p.m. (after dropping off any inter-island traffic) and will sail to Anacortes, arriving at 7:45 p.m. The Hyak will pick up inter-island traffic from Lopez Island at 7:25 p.m.

San Juans’ Ferry Advisory Committee Chair Ed Sutton summarized the effect of the additional service as follows:

• Thursday; 100 extra spaces westbound to Friday Harbor at 8 p.m.; results in more space on the 8:25 p.m. sailing to the other three islands.

• Friday; 125 extra spaces westbound to Lopez at approximately 3:15 p.m.; gives Shaw/Orcas a full boat at 3:30 p.m.

• Monday; 100 extra spaces eastbound, leaving Friday Harbor at 5:40 p.m., all stops on the inter-island; could be a good mop-up boat.