From Fairhaven's Steampunk Festival to the Pickford Rooftop Movie night, summertime fun continues this week. All this activity, along with new and on-going street construction project projects, will impact traffic. Please check conditions and travel with care. Here are projects that may affect you.
New: 14th Street and Mill Street, 21st Street and Mill
Monday, July 23, work begins on a series of bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects, starting with two locations on Mill Street. There will be single lane closures on each street, when work is underway. The Mill Street work will include construction of new sidewalks and pedestrian curb ramps. For more information, contact Larry Scholten, PE, project engineer at ljscholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.
Texas Street – Pacific Street to Valencia Street
We are repaving Texas Street between Pacific and Valencia streets, making modifications to the existing traffic circles, plus adding another traffic circle to enhance safety. We'll install a lighted sidewalk on the south side of the corridor for pedestrian safety. Flaggers are on-site during the work with through traffic restricted for portions of the project. Local access will be maintained. For more information, contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer at camueller@cob.org or phone (360) 778-7922.
Mahogany Avenue
We are working to construct Mahogany Avenue between Pacific Highway and Northwest Drive, including the intersection of Arctic Avenue with Mahogany Ave. Next week there will be a crane on-site to set box culverts, with work beginning at 5 a.m. This project accommodates new and proposed development in the area. Roadway improvements will include two travel lanes, bike lanes, illumination, landscaping, curbing, gutter and sidewalks. Drivers can expect flaggers on site, with construction lasting through 2018. For more information, visit the City's project web page or contact Sam Shipp, P.E., project engineer, at sshipp@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
Donovan Avenue – 21st Street to east of 24th Street (Connolly Creek)
Work to replace an old and unreliable watermain on Donovan Avenue continues. The main is being replaced from Old Fairhaven Parkway to Connolly Creek. Due to construction and the narrowness of the street Donovan is closed to through traffic at the areas of active construction. Residents can expect construction noise between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and temporary water disruption (those affected will be notified two-to-three days prior.) For more information, visit the City's project web page or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer, at camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
Cornwall Avenue at Laurel Street
This project will deliver new public and franchise utilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, parking, landscaping and street lighting, and street access to the waterfront. There are lane closures along with construction and delivery vehicles using the intersections at the Roeder and Granary, and Cornwall and Laurel intersections. Through July and August there will be intermittent lane closures for road repair and utility installation at Cornwall and Laurel. Please be alert and cautious in the area. For more information, contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Silver Beach Road and Arbor Court – water pretreatment
Work on the City's new water pretreatment plant at Whatcom Falls Park is in the home stretch. This week we'll be doing rock work along Silver Beach Road. Expect to see workers on-site Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Fridays ending at 3:30 p.m., and occasional Saturdays. 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. For more, visit 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 State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) may have projects that border Bellingham. 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.
At Public Works we provide 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.
ALSO, FYI: Broadway Park stormwater work Summer 2018
Q: We've seen lots of video-truck activity in the Broadway Park/Cornwall neighborhoods of late. Could you please brief us on your plans and schedule for digging if any?
Good question, thanks for asking. City of Bellingham stormwater crews have been scanning in the area in order to develop a plan for maintenance on a stormwater line that runs through Broadway Park. This is a line that has not previously had maintenance done on it, so we have to see what we're dealing with.
Based on what the inspection reveals, we will likely do some spot repairs. Beginning Monday July 23, we plan to add some catch basins, to access the storm main to clean and thoroughly inspect it. Depending on the integrity of the pipe, it could from one week to several to complete the necessary work.
During that time there will likely be noise from the City vactor truck as it is needed to clean out the storm mains. Broadway Park will remain open and accessible, except through the City's work zone on Broadway Street.
Hope this is helpful. If you need more information, please contact AskPW@cob.org or sbrowndavis@cob.org.
