The kiddy parade tonight (May 17), the community’s largest-ever outdoor concert tomorrow, and a lane closure on I-5 mean a challenging weekend for travel. And next weekend brings the annual Parade and Ski to Sea race with thousands of visitors. So pack your patience and check out the places where street construction will also impact traffic. As always, please travel with care.
Boulevard Park
Construction activities continue at Boulevard Park. Bayview Drive and the entrance to Boulevard Park is now closed to all but pedestrian access to the park. There may be some delays for pedestrians as well during the road closure. The road may be reopened within one week, weather permitting. Other traffic control, partial road closures and intermittent trail closures will continue through September. This work will mean access to the Park could be restricted on an intermittent basis. For more information, check here or contact Gina Austin, P.E., project engineer at gaustin@cob.org or (360) 778-7000.
Cordata sidewalks – Aldrich Road
Construction is near completion 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. The new bike lane and sidewalk will complete the sidewalk links along Aldrich Road to Cordata Elementary School. While the street is open to traffic, traffic control including flaggers may be on-site at times. 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 as work is underway to replace sewer facilities in and around the restrooms on the east side of Lake Padden Park near the dog park and playground. Work is currently suspended but should resume in June with the 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.
Granary Avenue and Laurel Street
Construction continued 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. There is anote the new traffic flow on Roeder at Granary. Drivers should be prepared for, and careful around, construction activities around the intersection of Cornwall and Laurel. 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. 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. Asphalt and concrete paving along W. Illinois Street from Lynn Street to Northwest Ave and along E. Maplewood from Northwest to Meridian is planned. The new watermains have been installed. As part of the project we will continue to install private service connections along Illinois and Lorraine Ellis Court (residents may notice cloudy water, due to air bubbles in the line) and connections to other watermains on Meridian and along Illiinois. Replacement of driveways, pre-existing sidewalk and curbing is underway; roadway paving is planned; and final roadside cleanup of the shoulder front yards is next. Traffic control will be in place and short detours may be necessary during some work. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at LJScholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.
Roeder Avenue – Squalicum Parkway to Whatcom Waterway
An overlay project is in progress to resurface Roeder Avenue from Squalicum Parkway to the Whatcom Waterway bridge. Final restriping and adding the buffered bicycle lanes will be complete shortly. No detours are anticipated and two-way traffic will be maintained. Access to waterfront businesses will be maintained. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., Project Engineer, at camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
Stuart Road and Cordata Parkway – roundabout
Work is nearly complete on a project to construct a multimodal roundabout at the intersection of Stuart and Cordata. The roundabout will provide access to Whatcom Community College and the Cordata neighborhood and a new planned park. Landscaping items are still to be completed. Road users should expect delays, with work lasting through the Spring. 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
All contract work on the new HAWK signals on Lakeway is complete. The contractor will be completing final tasks, so drivers may experience some delays. This project provides a bike boulevard, new sidewalks, ramps, wayfinding and restoration, and 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.
Mahogany Avenue – Northwest to Pacific Highway
Mahogany Avenue and the intersection at Arctic Avenue are open and will accommodate nearby proposed development. While the street is open to traffic, the contractor is still finishing up some work and may be on-site at times. Roadway improvements include two travel lanes, bike lanes, illumination, landscaping, curbing, gutter and sidewalks. For more information, contact Sam Shipp, P.E., project engineer, at sshipp@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
WSDOT and Whatcom County
The State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has three road repair projects in or around Bellingham (including along Sunset Drive east of I-5) which could cause delays of “up to 20 minutes.” For more information visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/.
And 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. And 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 change, depending on inclement weather or last-minute changes in work schedules. Questions? Please contact AskPW@cob.org.
