After a recent decision by the King County Ferry District Board, a feasibility study of a passenger ferry route between Shilshore and Downtown Seattle has been approved for the county's 2009 budget.

The action was prompted by Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire's announcement that the Alaskan Way Viaduct will come down. While a plan to replace the viaduct has yet to be determined, King County Council member Larry Phillips says.

"We have a citizenry that is anxious to fine new mobility options so they can get their jobs done and get home and spend time with their families," said Phillips.

Phillips suggested that many other major metropolitan cities that boarder on a bay have been successful with similar systems as King County envisions for Ballard.

To help West Seattle residents commute, the Elliot Bay Water Taxi was approved to become a year round service beginning January 2010.

Continuation of King County's passenger ferry from Vashon Island to Downtown Seattle was also approved by the board.

The King County Ferry District Board also recently voted to lower the ferry district tax rate in 2009. Phillips explained that tax payers will be paying 5 cents per thousand dollars of property instead of 5.5 cents.

"This is a difficult time," said Phillips. "Families are watching their budgets very closely and this honors the fact that tax payers are in tough shape."

The King County Ferry District is a county wide, special-purpose district that was formed in 2007. King County's nine council members serve as the district's supervisors.

Rose Egge may be reached at 932.0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com