Colman Dock is back! Ferry riders delight in Seattle's upgraded terminal

A new and improved Colman Dock opened on Seattle's waterfront Friday. It was the first time ferry passengers could climb the new stairs on Alaskan Way, walk over the queuing cars, and into the waiting area.

The building has been opening, gradually, piece-by-piece. But Friday was the first day people were able to enter through the new front door, without taking a circuitous and sketchy-looking route around construction.

The upgrades are built to handle earthquakes and crowds of sports fans, like Loni Munsch who came over from Poulsbo to watch the Seahawks practice.

“This is gorgeous. It’s so much nicer than it’s been for the last, I don’t know, 10 years?” Munsch said with a laugh.

The construction has come with a $489 million price tag, paid for by taxpayers. Crews removed old, rotting creosote pilings and installed new, clean steel ones. The new terminal sits on top of all that.

Norman and Elizabeth Hutcheson were visiting from Scotland and passed through the terminal on opening day.

“Today we’re having a trip over to Bainbridge," they said, commenting that they’re quite impressed with the new terminal and that none exist like it back in Scotland.

“This is a good investment, well done. I didn’t see the old one — I can only tell you I like the new one.”

There’s still construction going on down at Colman Dock. Workers are installing a new pedestrian bridge over Alaskan Way, which is slated to open in the fall. Also, trees along this stretch of road haven’t been planted yet.