Project Overview: ER014
The State-Ellis Bridge across Whatcom Creek was a timber structure bridge supported by wooden piles located at the intersection of State and Ellis streets. The bridge was built in the 1930’s and gradually deteriorated over time, requiring replacement.
The new bridge structure is a single span concrete structure over Whatcom Creek. The wooden piles within Whatcom Creek have been removed and the in-stream habitat below the bridge restored.
In order to replace the bridge, it was closed to traffic. Traffic impacts were significant as State Street is a main route to access downtown. Businesses in the area remained open during construction and access to the businesses was open as well. Starting in May 2021, the bridge was fully closed to all traffic 24 hours a day for the duration of the project. Franchise utilities such as Puget Sound Energy, Comcast, CenturyLink, and Cascade Natural Gas relocated their facilities in April 2021, with intermittent road and lane closures.
During construction, the road was closed to traffic and a detour in place rerouting traffic to Ohio Street, Cornwall Avenue, and York Street (detour map). Northbound Forest Street and Ellis Street were maintained.
All in-water construction items were completed between the regulatory fish window of July 1 to September 30.
This project was funded by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) STP(BR) Bridge Replacement Program.
Project Details
- Status – Complete
- Contract awarded – 1/11/2021
- Contract amount – $3,195,889.73
- Contractor – Razz Construction
- Vicinity Map
- Press release announcing construction – 3/24/2021
Contact
Aric Smathers, PE
Phone: (360) 778-7942
Email: arsmathers@cob.org
