Road Report for April 13 – 17, 2020

Projects are getting back to work, street construction could affect travel.

May 05, 2020 - by Andrea Reiter

City of Bellingham capital projects will resume the week of April 13 after a 2-week suspension for health and safety concerns. Due to continued threat of COVID-19, work will be assessed on a day-by-day basis. For more information on the resumption of construction projects, read the City’s April 10 press release. Ongoing street repair, maintenance and construction projects will affect traffic. As always, please wash hands well, pay attention to Health Department recommendations and travel with care.

Lake Padden Park – Sewer project
Work is underway to replace sewer facilities in and around the restrooms at Lake Padden Park near the dog park, playground and pumphouse. A single bathroom will be available, as work this week is planned to include electrical work, which will necessitate the closure of one of the two bathrooms. Portable restrooms will be made available at the closed bathroom site. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at LJScholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.

Harrison Street and James Street – Paving project

Work to rehabilitate Harrison Street east of 40th is anticipated to start this week. Access will be limited to local resident access only, with flaggers managing traffic in the work zone. For more information contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at LJScholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.

West Horton project  

The West Horton Road project is underway with site preparation and clearing along Aldrich Road. The project includes installation of City utilities along with gas, power and telecom, as well as lighting and sidewalks on both sides with bike lanes. The project will provide a culvert installation, a stormwater pond and road access to Julianna Park. During the initial phase of construction drivers may experience lane closures or equipment along Aldrich, as well as short-term delays. For more information, visit the West Horton Road phase 1 web page or contact Freeman (Fritz) Anthony, P.E., project engineer, via fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.

Cordata / Stuart / Horton – safety improvements project  

Crews are installing flashing beacon crosswalks across Cordata Parkway that will serve the new Cordata Park. There will be occasional lane closures and flaggers present. No detours are planned. For more information, visit the Cordata/Stuart/Horton project web page or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer, via camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.

Cordata Park – phase 1 (Pictured)

Cordata Park construction activities include changes to sidewalk alignment, pedestrian entries into the park, installation of artwork, irrigation and paving along Cordata Parkway. Lane closures related to park construction have been on hiatus and may resume shortly on an occasional basis and last into July. For more information, visit the Cordata Park project web page  or contact project manager Jonathan Schilk at jschilk@cob.org or (360) 778-7000.

2019 Transportation Benefit District projects – several locations

Rechannelization of Chestnut Street downtown is complete. The 2019 Transportation Benefit District (TBD) project work at the intersection of Lakeway and Old Lakeway is underway on the retaining wall and sidewalk. For more information, visit the TBD project web page  or contact Freeman (Fritz) Anthony, P.E., project engineer, via fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

Following the state Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, WSDOT suspended most state construction work. WSDOT asked our contractor partners to safely secure construction jobsites by the end of the day, Thursday, March 26. With the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order now extended through May 4, WSDOT will likewise continue the construction suspension and limiting maintenance work to all but essential duties through May 4. For what’s coming up, 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.

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 always obey flaggers. 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.​


Media Contact

​Paul Reed, Construction Manager City of Bellingham – Public Works (360) 778-7700 preed@cob.org


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