Question: when does rain become a street project? Answer: when it's construction of rain gardens that will impact traffic. So while it's generally a quiet time for street construction, there are a few projects underway, as well as a couple (temporary) road closures, that will affect travel. And it's still dark a lot, so it is vital to watch for pedestrians who may be in dark clothing, as well as cyclists and other cars. Please, travel with care.
Cornwall Avenue at Laurel Street
This project will bring new public and franchise utilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, parking, landscaping and street lighting, as well as street access to the waterfront. There will be lane closures along with construction equipment and delivery vehicles coming and going from the former G-P waterfront area at Chestnut as well as the Cornwall and Laurel intersection and contractor traffic accessing the Granary building via a new (temporary) driveway on Roeder.
Note that Roeder Avenue, from Central to Bay, will be closed through March so that utility connections can be made for the ongoing waterfront project construction. Traffic will be detoured on Bay, Central and “C” streets. Please be alert and cautious in this area. For more, contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Arboretum Drive – Sehome Hill Arboretum
Construction of a replacement communications tower site at the Sehome Hill Arboretum upper parking area began earlier this month. During this work, most trails within the Arboretum will remain open to pedestrians; however, the road gate at Arboretum Drive and the upper parking area will be intermittently closed to public access during work hours. Those planning to hike within the Arboretum should plan to enter the park from various neighborhood access points. For more information, visit the City's Web page for the Sehome Hill Communications Tower Replacement or contact Stephen Day, P.E., project engineer at smday@cob.org or (360) 778-7944.
Williams Street – Jefferson to Connecticut Street
Construction is set to begin on a project to install 10 raingardens, three stormwater treatment vaults, upgrade catch basins, manholes and pedestrian ramps in the Columbia neighborhood. Over 80 acres of stormwater runoff will be treated prior to discharge to Bellingham Bay. The work will begin on Williams Street. Intersections will be temporarily closed during work and parking will be restricted in active construction areas. Local traffic will be maintained. For more information, visit the City's web page for the Columbia Rain Garden project, or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer, at camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
West Maplewood Avenue – Northwest Ave to Alderwood Ave
Construction currently on winter hiatus for this multimodal improvement project to improve sidewalks, street surfacing, bike lanes, drainage, access and illumination. The project will resume by March. For more information, visit the City's web page for the West Maplewood Multimodal Improvements, or contact Stephen Day, P.E., project engineer, at smday@cob.org or (360) 778-7944.
Silver Beach Ave and Arbor Court – water pretreatment
Construction on the City's new water pretreatment plant inside Whatcom Falls Park is between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. There may be extra traffic associated with that work with flagging and limited trail access. 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) has some projects underway that border Bellingham, including Mount Baker Highway (click here) and along I-5 (to Iowa Street.) For more information visit http://www.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 team 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.
