With the school year underway in Bellingham and a long Labor Day holiday weekend in front of us, there are several traffic impacts. As well, there are several non-motorized street projects underway (for several bicycle and pedestrian facilities) as well as on-going street construction projects. However, some of this work is delayed by a construction strike. As always, please travel with care.
COMING SOON: Stuart Road and Cordata Parkway – roundabout
Work begins this fall to construct a multimodal roundabout at the intersection of Stuart and Cordata, which provides access to both Whatcom Community College and the Cordata neighborhood and the new planned park. Drivers can expect flaggers on-site, 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.
NEW: Lakeway Drive and Lincoln Street
City-contracted crews will be working on Nevada Street south of Lakeway Drive to construct a new sidewalk from Edwards to Whatcom Street. Motorists can expect flaggers on-site to assist traffic with minor delays. (They will also be working on Orleans Street north of Lakeway to Potter Street.) 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 (map posted below)
Work is underway on a series of bicycle and/or pedestrian improvement projects, funded by the Transportation Benefit District. Locations range from Mill Street and Alderwood Ave to Barkley Boulevard and Orleans Street. There will be single lane closures on each street, when work is underway. For 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 is a project to repave Texas Street between Pacific and Valencia streets, make modifications to the existing traffic circles, plus add 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 – 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 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
Work continues on a project that 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 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. 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 extra associated 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.
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.
