From today's Junior Parade to next weekend's Blossomtime Parade and Ski to Sea Race, there are myriad potential traffic impacts and driver distractions. For instance, at Maritime Heritage Park and throughout downtown on Saturday there will be Zombies and Survivors to watch out for. As always, it is important to focus on pedestrians and cyclists as well as traffic conditions. Unless otherwise noted, businesses near street construction ARE open.
North State Street – at York Street
Beginning Tuesday morning, May 23, the City's water department will be working to repair a leaking 24-inch water line in front of Walton Place. Traffic will be reduced to one lane and there may be minor delays; flaggers will be on-site to expedite traffic. Work should be completed by end of the day Wednesday.
Holly Street – from Railroad Avenue to Bay Street
Work to upgrade sidewalks and repave Holly Street between Railroad and Bay is steadily moving south along Holly. Flagging for traffic will be provided around work zones, and pedestrians should expect detours (alternate routes). Note: parking on Holy Street may be closed occasionally for grinding beginning in June. Parking should be available on cross streets and in the Commercial Street Parking Garage. FYI, this overlay project – work normally done during better summer weather – is being done now to reduce the impact on downtown businesses. 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
Businesses remain open, though drivers may experience flagging, temporary lane revisions, and on-street parking restrictions, as crews continue work on a watermain utility replacement project. Road work will occur on Holly Street between Central and Broadway and on “E” Street between Holly and Dupont streets. For more information, visit the City's web page for the 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 will be limited to a four-day week, i.e. 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with limited Friday work as needed. 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) may have projects scheduled in or near Bellingham. 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.
