The holidays are here, and Thanksgiving makes for a short work week for many. Though we anticipate fewer people traveling to and from the area due to the Governor’s updated Safe Start travel requirements, capital construction and maintenance projects will 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.
Harrison Street Slope Stabilization
The project is near completion with fence installation and cleanup remaining. For more information visit the Harrison Street Slope Stabilization Project website or contact Aric Smathers, P.E., project engineer, at arsmathers@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
Northwest/Bakerview Intersection Improvements
Work is weather dependent, substantial delays should be expected, and people are encouraged to avoid the area if possible. No work is scheduled for Thursday or Friday the week of Thanksgiving. The NW/Bakerview intersection project will improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and efficiency through the reconstruction of curb ramps, sidewalk, traffic islands, and installation of improved visibility pavement markings in the vicinity of the Northwest Avenue and West Bakerview Road intersection. A center median curb will also be installed along West Bakerview Road from Arctic Avenue vicinity to Northwest Avenue vicinity. Flaggers and traffic control will be present. For more information, visit the Northwest/Bakerview Intersection Improvements website 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 paving a portion of the upper parking lot, landscaping and cleanup. The upper parking lot will be closed one last time once paving is scheduled but should remain open throughout the remainder of the project. Road Closed signs and barricades will be placed at the bottom of the hill near the gate on the day paving is scheduled. 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 will replace a watermain on Donovan Avenue from Connelly Creek to 36th Street, and on 35th Street from Donovan Avenue to one block north. Most of the new pipe has been installed and service transfers and final connections are being made. Periodic disruptions to service will occur when the new main is connected to the system. Affected homes will receive notifications in advance. The affected blocks will be closed to through traffic. WTA is being coordinated with for impacts between 30th and 32nd Streets. Flaggers will allow for local access. 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
No work is scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday nights the week of Thanksgiving. 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. This work will occur on scheduled nights 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 is reaching the final stages. The library has been closed to the public since the beginning of the year, however books are still moving in and out daily through distribution vans and curbside pickup. The project involves the complete renovation of the first floor and ground floor restrooms as well as updates to the passenger elevator and fire alarm system throughout the building. A new Roof Top Unit will be set which will support the HVAC needed on the west side of the first floor. Ceiling grid and lighting is going up throughout the space and painting has been started. 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.
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.
