The Bellingham Youth Triathlon and Kids Fest are at Civic Field this weekend and summer entertainment, like the outdoor cinema in Fairhaven and mid-week music fest downtown, continues. Add to that, State crews are ramping up work on I-5 through Bellingham and along Sunset Drive out Mount Baker Highway. All of that will impact travel, as will several ongoing City street construction projects. As always, please travel with care.
NEW: 24th – Old Fairhaven Parkway to Donovan, Yew Street – north of Alabama
Two portions of the 2019 Transportation Benefit District project are now under construction. Travelers should expect delays, lane closures and roadwork on 24th Street from Old Fairhaven Parkway to Donovan and on Yew Street from Alabama north to Roosevelt Elementary. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, via fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Lake Whatcom – Silver Beach Ave/Huntington, Northshore at Maynard, Flynn/Prospect
Several Lake Whatcom water quality projects are underway to modify existing drainage infrastructure in order to improve water quality protections from pollution, stormwater runoff and phosphorous. On Northshore and Prospect streets drivers may encounter crews doing patch work. At all three project sites, drivers can expect some delays and lane closures. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Boulevard Park – Bayview Drive
Construction activities continue at Boulevard Park at Bayview Drive, including underground directional drilling for power and telecommunication lines. While the entrance to Boulevard Park is currently open, some delays will occur as additional utilities are installed under the railroad. Other traffic control, partial road closures and intermittent trail closures will continue into September. For more information, check here or contact the project engineer Gina Austin, P.E., at gaustin@cob.org or (360) 778-7000.
Cordata sidewalks – Aldrich Road
Construction activity on this project to install a bike lane and sidewalk along Aldrich Road from Mahogany Avenue to the existing bike lane and sidewalk just north of Larrabee Road is temporarily on hiatus, as crews await the arrival of light poles. The new bike lane and sidewalk will complete the sidewalk links along Aldrich Road to Cordata Elementary School. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Sam Shipp, P.E., project engineer, at sshipp@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
Lake Padden Park – sewer project
Restrooms are open during work to replace sewer facilities in and around them on the east side of Lake Padden Park near the dog park and playground. Work is currently suspended but should resume shortly for installation of electrical and component systems, and the final system switch-over and decommissioning of the old system. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at LJScholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.
E. Maplewood Ave, W. Illinois Street, Lorraine Ellis Court – watermain replacements
Construction continues on Lorraine Ellis Court, on W. Illinois between Lynn Street and Northwest Avenue, and on E. Maplewood Avenue. The new watermains have been installed and the project is nearly complete, with some minor landscaping and roadway restoration remaining. Traffic control may be in place and some short detours could still be necessary. For more, visit the project web page or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at LJScholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
The State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews are busy in Bellingham this summer. They are still working on ramps through town, now at Lakeway Drive, and will have some overnight work. They are also busy on Sunset Drive east from I-5, with work that could cause delays of up to 45 minutes. As part of the project, WSDOT contractors have been granted a variance for several nights of “after hours” work this summer. For more information visit https://wsdot.wa.gov/projects.
Whatcom County
For updates on Whatcom County Public Works roadway projects near Bellingham, visit http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/308/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, travel with care and obey flaggers at all times. In dark weather, please make sure you’re visible to others. 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 vary, depending on inclement weather or last-minute changes in work schedules. Questions? Contact AskPW@cob.org.
