Daylight hours will start getting longer but darkness and poor weather will continue to affect travel throughout the winter. Though we anticipate fewer people traveling to and from the area for holidays this year, due to the Governor’s updated Safe Start travel requirements, capital construction and maintenance projects will also continue to affect traffic. Due to continued threat of COVID-19, City construction work will be assessed on a day-by-day basis. As always, please pay attention to Health Department recommendations and travel with care.
Lake Padden Park – Sewer project
Work to upgrade the sewer facilities and pump stations is nearing completion, as the remaining components are installed. The areas affected include the dog park restroom, playground restroom and the pump house. As we move forward with the final phase of this project, the restrooms will be intermittently offline in the coming weeks, but we will have portable bathrooms in place when needed. Please use caution in and around the work zones. For more information, visit the Lake Padden Lift Stations project webpage or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at ljscholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.
Samish Maple Ellis Multimodal Safety Improvements
The Samish Maple Ellis Multimodal Safety Improvements project is complete with minor work and clean-up remaining. Flaggers will allow for local access and direct travelers to area detours. For more information, visit the Samish-Maple-Ellis Multimodal Safety Improvements website or contact Freeman (Fritz) Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Sehome Hill Communications Tower – Antenna Installation/Tower Demo
The only remaining work for the project is landscaping, installation of one streetlight and cleanup. The upper parking lot will not be closed for the remainder of the project. No further trail closures will be required for the remainder of the project. For more information visit the Sehome Hill Communications Tower – Antenna Installation Tower/Demo Project website or contact Aric Smathers, P.E., project engineer, at arsmathers@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
2020 TBD Projects and 40th Street Sidewalk
The 40th Street Sidewalk and 2020 TBD Projects are largely complete with minor restoration work still being finished up. The 40th Street Improvements are on hold pending permitting work. Flaggers will allow for local access. Expect possible project related delays when traveling through these project sites. For more information, visit the 2020 TBD Projects and 40th Street Sidewalk website or contact Freeman (Fritz) Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
2020 Watermain Replacement project (pictured)
The 2020 Watermain Replacement project replaces a watermain on Donovan Avenue from Connelly Creek to 36th Street, and on 35th Street from Donovan Avenue to one block north. All watermain has been installed and connected. Due to COVID related material procurement delays at the beginning of the project, the window for final paving has been missed and will be done in the spring 2021 when material is available. In January, a gas line will be relocated west of 30th Street to accommodate a storm main replacement. WTA is being coordinated with for impacts between 30th and 32nd Streets. Flaggers will allow for local access when necessary. Expect detours for affected closures. For more information, visit the 2020 Watermain Replacement Project website or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer, at camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
Meridian Street Water Quality Improvements
This water quality project on Meridian Street (State Route 539) between Bakerview Road and Stuart Road and on Kellogg Road will install 17 water quality devices to treat roadway runoff. Work on Kellogg Road will continue with one lane of traffic open to drivers. Work on Meridian will continue at night between 7 PM and 7 AM. The roadway will remain open with lane closures and lane shifts in place to facilitate construction. Flaggers will be present to provide additional traffic and pedestrian control as necessary. For more information, visit the Meridian Street Water Quality Improvements website or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at ljscholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.
West Horton project
The West Horton Road project is wrapping up with landscaping and site clean-up activities underway. The roadway will remain closed for the next 4-6 weeks while safety handrail is fabricated. For more information, visit the West Horton Road phase 1 website or contact Freeman (Fritz) Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924
2020 Downtown Public Library Renovations
The 2020 Downtown Public Library Renovation continues with the arrival of a new sorting machine. Current work involves painting throughout, floor preparation for carpeting installation, lighting modifications, retrofitting the downstairs public restrooms, and ordering furniture for the main floor. Project completion is on schedule for the end of February 2021. For more information contact Carol Rofkar, Facilities Project Manager, at cmrofkar@cob.org or (360) 778-7973.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
Drivers can get real-time traffic information on their phone with the WSDOT traffic app, tracking the WSDOT north Twitter feed, and get advanced information from the WSDOT construction page. For ongoing information on current local projects, check out https://wsdot.wa.gov/projects
Whatcom County
For updates on County projects near Bellingham, visit http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/308/Public-Works. Subscribe to Whatcom County Public Works email newsletter here. We provide this “capital project 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 always obey flaggers. In dark conditions, 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.
