From this weekend’s Bellingham Bay Marathon to ongoing street construction projects, including several non-motorized (bicycle and pedestrian) improvements underway, there’s a lot going on to impact traffic. As always, with all this activity it’s important to travel with care.
NEW: Squalicum Parkway
Work is underway to complete final grading and channel connection for the Willow Springs stream along Squalicum Parkway. Possible evening and Saturday work to meet Fish and Wildlife construction timeline for work along Squalicum Creek. For more, visit the Willow Springs web page or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Stuart Road and Cordata Parkway – roundabout
Work begins shortly to construct a multimodal roundabout at the intersection of Stuart and Cordata, which provides access to Whatcom Community College and the Cordata neighborhood and the new planned park. Drivers can expect workers in October, with construction lasting through Spring 2019. 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.
Lakeway Drive and Lincoln Street
Crews are working on Nevada Street south of Lakeway Drive to construct a new sidewalk from Edwards to Whatcom Street. They will also be working on Orleans Street north of Lakeway to Potter Street along with work at the intersection of Lakeway and Undine and Grant Streets. Additional work will be at Otis Street, Maple Street and Samish Way. Motorists can expect flaggers in all areas to assist traffic with minor delays. This project will deliver a bike boulevard; new sidewalks, ramps, wayfinding and restoration; and will include four new pedestrian crossing signals. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
E. Maryland Street and Pullman Street – south of Silver Beach Elementary
Work is being done to retrofit an existing stormwater treatment facility within the Lake Whatcom watershed. Drivers are advised that access into this area may be restricted; pedestrians should be aware that the adjacent Pullman Street trail from Northshore Drive will be closed during work hours. For more information, contact Steve Day, PE, project engineer at smday@cob.org or (360) 778-7944.
Non-Motorized (bike and ped) improvements
Work is underway on a series of bicycle and/or pedestrian improvement projects, funded by the Transportation Benefit District. This week Kentucky Street between Valencia and Woburn will be closed for street work. Woburn Street will remain open with lane shifts to accommodate traffic; Kentucky Street west of Valencia will be unaffected. Several sites are ready for final paving, we just need dry weather. For a map of locations or more information, visit the project web page or contact the project engineer, Larry Scholten, PE, at ljscholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.
Texas Street – Pacific Street to Valencia Street
This project to repave Texas Street between Pacific and Valencia includes modifications to the existing traffic circles and adds another to enhance safety. We’ll install a lighted sidewalk on the south side of the corridor for pedestrian safety. Now that paving is complete, restoration work will occur over the next two to three weeks including topsoil, seeding, trees, plantings and adjusting valve and manhole cover heights. 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 – Northwest to Pacific Highway
We are working to construct Mahogany Avenue, including the intersection of Arctic Avenue with Mahogany Ave. 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, with construction lasting through 2018. For more, 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 is nearly complete. Now that paving is complete, restoration work will be done over the next few weeks including topsoil, seed and final details. Residents can expect construction noise between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and periodic flagging. Donovan is now open to traffic. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer, at camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
Cornwall Avenue at Laurel Street
Construction continues on this project to deliver new public and franchise utilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, parking, landscaping and street lighting, and street access to the waterfront. We’re now installing a new traffic signal at Chestnut Street and Granary Avenue. Drivers can also expect truck traffic, some lane closures and construction delays on Roeder/Chestnut and Cornwall. For more information, visit the project web page or 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 nearly done. Typically, workers are 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 construction traffic, 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.
We offer 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.
