Anyone traveling across Lake Washington has likely endured the several-hour wait during rush hour.

The King County Council is hoping to eliminate some of the traffic problems by implementing a water taxi that would run between Kirkland and the UW.

A water taxi currently exists in Elliot Bay connecting West Seattle with downtown. The Council established the King County Ferry District to investigate using waterborne traffic alternatives to alleviate some congestion.

Russell Ross, a junior who commutes across Lake Washington daily, said he thinks the congestion is partly the state's fault and partly drivers' faults.

"We could be carpooling more, busing more and using Sound Transit more," he said.

Mike Beck, Metro's project manager for the water taxi, said the water taxi could be beneficial.

He said they could give "potentially a more convenient commute for some riders, remov[e] vehicles from congested traffic corridors and reduce[e] emissions."

Chris Arkills, senior legislative assistant to Councilmember Dow Constantine, a member of the Regional Transit Committee board, said the UW/Kirkland connection is being looked at for two primary reasons.

"The UW/Kirkland route showed excellent promise due to the large amount of Eastside commuters to the UW," he said, referencing a 2005 Waterborne Transit Study. "A second reason is the future replacement of the 520 bridge. ... [T]he UW/ Kirkland water taxi could be important in keeping people moving in this corridor."

Plans are still in the early stages, with many decisions being tabled until autumn.

Beck said a study will be presented in the fall outlining more specific details and consequences of the taxi.

The funding for the taxi will come from a slight increase in property tax.

"The state legislature gave us the ability to finance the service through a minimal property tax," Arkills said. "The tax will be countywide to keep costs low and will likely be two or three cents per $1,000 on your home."

The increased tax rate will not be collected until 2008. As these funds are collected, service for the water taxis will likely begin. Full service is expected to start in 2009.

Arkills said once service begins, a shuttle would likely be put in place from a dock on Lake Washington or Portage Bay to the Ave. and around the campus loop.

"This would make it much more useful to UW employees and students," he said.

In addition to the UW/Kirkland water taxi, several other routes are being investigated as possible ways to help solve some of the traffic problems.

"There is no one solution to moving people throughout the region," Arkills said. "Our best chance for success is to build light rail, expand our buses, fix our roads and use waterborne transit."

Reach reporter Shannon O'Hara at news@thedaily.washington.edu.