There is construction beginning along Bill McDonald Parkway at Western Washington University that will impact pedestrian travel, the Ragnar Relay run comes through Bellingham, and the Lake Whatcom Triathlon will all impact traffic. And a reminder that with “Downtown Sounds” Bay and Prospect Streets are closed on Wednesdays. Beyond these driver distractions, there are some road closures due to ongoing construction projects. As always, it is important to focus on pedestrians and cyclists as well as traffic conditions. And unless otherwise noted, businesses near street construction ARE open.
12th Street – at Mill Avenue
Construction is underway on a street project at 12th and Mill. The project includes removal of a portion of 12th Street north of Mill Avenue and construction of a new connection from Finnegan Way to 12th Street. The Library will remain open, although there may be temporary lane revisions and on-street parking restrictions. For more information, contact Sam Shipp, P.E., project engineer, via sshipp@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
James Street – at Woodstock Way
Woodstock Way is now closed for work on the intersection of Woodstock and James Street. There may be travel delays as drivers will be redirected around Sunset Square Center from Woodstock throughout this project, which is being done to improve safety as well as pedestrian and bicycle route connectivity. James Street will remain open to traffic until it can be routed to the new Woodstock way. For more information, visit the City's web page, Woodstock Intersection Improvements, or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer, camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
Northshore Drive – E. Oregon and E. North
Construction is underway to improve drainage and reduce phosphorus entering Lake Whatcom. Later this summer the work will likely impact traffic on Northshore Drive. For more information, visit the City's project pages for E. North and E. Oregon streets, or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at ljscholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7912.
Silver Beach Ave and Arbor Court
Construction on the City's new water pretreatment plant inside Whatcom Falls Park is again limited to a four-day week, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday, with occasional Friday work. Park visitors may experience traffic associated with that work with periodic flagging and limited trail access. Construction may be impacted by inclement weather. Parking at Arbor Court and adjacent access to the waterline trail is closed through 2018. For more information, visit the City's web page at DAF Water Treatment Plant or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
WSDOT and Whatcom County
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) often have projects scheduled in or near Bellingham. To find out, visit https://wsdot.wa.gov/projects. For updates on Whatcom County Public Works traffic projects near Bellingham, visit http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/308/Public-Works.
Your Public Works staff provides this “road report” as a public service, based on currently available information. When traveling through a construction area – whether walking, cycling or driving – please be patient, proceed with caution and obey flaggers at all times. Planned road closures and restrictions are necessary to allow for a variety of work including resurfacing, sidewalk construction, water and sewer main work, and utility cuts. Dates, times and work locations may change, depending on inclement weather or last-minute changes in work schedules. For questions, contact AskPW@cob.org.
