In the summer months there are more events, activities and people out and about on city streets. In addition to these traffic impacts and driver distractions, there are ongoing street construction projects. Fortunately, the two projects on Holly Street, a significant arterial through Bellingham, are in the final phase of construction. Unless otherwise noted, businesses near street construction ARE open.
12th Street – at Mill Avenue
Beginning Monday (June 12), street construction will begin 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. Work begins with saw cutting pavement and site preparation. For more information, contact Sam Shipp, P.E., project engineer, at sshipp@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
James Street – at Woodstock Way
Beginning Monday June 19, Woodstock Way will be closed for work on the intersection of Woodstock and James Street. There will be travel delays as drivers are 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.
Holly Street – from Railroad Avenue to Bay Street
Holly Street is closed overnight Sunday, June 11, for paving as part of work to upgrade sidewalks and repave Holly between Railroad and Bay. Traffic flagging and pedestrian route detours continue – with some related road access limitations – as paving, striping and landscaping conclude. Parking on Holly may be closed occasionally; however, parking is available on cross streets and in the Commercial Street Parking Garage. For more information, contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
West Holly Street – from Central Avenue to Broadway
Paving work to restore the road's surface is now underway. Businesses remain open, though there may be temporary lane revisions and on-street parking restrictions on this watermain utility replacement project. This week's paving will be on West Holly Street between Central Avenue and Broadway. The intersection at F Street and West Holly St will also have traffic delays, as crews replace signal detection sensors. For more information, visit the City's web page, 2016 Watermain Replacement Program , or contact Stephen Day, P.E., project engineer, at smday@cob.org or (360) 778-7944.
Silver Beach Ave and Arbor Court
Construction on the City's new water pretreatment plant inside Whatcom Falls Park is resuming a full five-day week work schedule, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 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) likely has projects scheduled in or near Bellingham – including one that will involve lane restrictions and night work. To find out, visit the Washington State Department of Transportation. 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.
