The rainy fall season is ahead of us; time to bundle up and stay dry. Stay alert when traveling on these cooler, wet days. 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
Work has begun to repair the existing water main, lower and modify the existing stormwater pond, regrade the steep slope which is exhibiting slippage failure, install a block wall to replace the failing rockery wall, and provide plantings on the slope. The project is schedule to be complete by the end of October to early November. 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
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, so expect possible delays traveling through this popular intersection. 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 continues with gutter and sidewalk construction at the intersection of Ellis Street and Chestnut Street and along Maple Street. Pavement marking and revised traffic patterns are planned for the corridor on the second week of October. 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.orgor (360) 778-7924.
Sehome Hill Communications Tower – Antenna Installation/Tower Demo
Work has begun to install the remaining antennas on the new communications tower, remove equipment from the old tower and demolish the old tower and building. The initial phase of the project was completed ahead of schedule and the City will have until mid to late October to remove the remaining equipment in the building at the old tower site (there should be no trail closures due to construction during the City’s relocation). The contractor will then begin the demolition of the old tower and building followed by landscape restoration which will again require intermittent trail closures during the hours of construction. 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 underway with sidewalk work at Lakeway and Ellis Street. Flaggers will allow for local access. Expect possible delays when traveling through this project site. 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
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. Watermain installation will begin at Connelly Creek and move eastward. 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.
Squalicum Creek Reroute – phase 3 and 4 project (pictured)
The Squalicum Creek Reroute – phases 3 and 4 project will fill in approximately ¾ of Bug Lake and create a new channel to the south, under Squalicum Parkway, in a new culvert. The lake will be converted to its original state as a forested wetland. The project will improve water quality in Squalicum Creek and will provide additional habitat for salmonids while improving riparian habitat. Flaggers will be present near Bug Lake as truck traffic will be entering and leaving Squalicum Parkway. The culvert is now installed and the street has been opened to two lane traffic. Please expect minor delays. For more information, visit the Squalicum Creek Reroute Project website or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer, at camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
Meridian Street Water Quality Improvements
The Meridian St. 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 at night between 7 PM and 7 AM, Monday through Friday. 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.
2020 Overlay – Bill McDonald and Britton Road project
The 2020 Overlay – Bill McDonald and Britton Road project is largely complete with paving marking work and site restoration underway along Bill McDonald Parkway and Britton Road. Flaggers will allow for local access and direct travelers to area detours. For more information, visit the 2020 Overlay – Bill McDonald and Britton Road website or contact Freeman (Fritz) Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project
The Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project, with various locations throughout the City, is underway with cleanup and restoration to finalize the project. For more information and a site map with locations listed visit the Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project website or contact Aric Smathers, P.E., project engineer, at arsmathers@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
West Horton project
The West Horton Road project is underway with utility and retaining wall installation within the Horton Road right-of-way. Construction traffic may be encountered at the connection to Aldrich Road and along Horton Road. Expect possible delays when traveling near this project site. 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
Cordata Park – phase 1
Cordata Park construction is 99% complete. Contractor will need to access the site with small trucks and the occasional large truck delivery to complete punchlist items during the first half of September. For more information, visit the Cordata Park project web page or contact project manager Jonathan Schilk at jschilk@cob.org or (360) 778-7000.
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.
