Road Report for April 20 – 24, 2020

Projects are back to work, street construction could affect travel

May 05, 2020 - by Andrea Reiter

City of Bellingham capital projects were given the greenlight last week to resume after a 2-week suspension for health and safety concerns, for more details please see the City’s April 10 news release. Due to continued threat of COVID-19, work will be assessed on a day-by-day basis. 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 will resume this week. Harrison Street will be closed to through traffic with a detour provided. 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 (Pictured)

The West Horton Road project is underway with site preparation along Aldrich Road and clearing within the Horton Road right-of-way. 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. Detours along Aldrich will happen intermittently starting April 20 from 7 am – 7 pm and are expected to last throughout the duration of the project. Flaggers will allow for local access. Expect possible delays when traveling through this project site. 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

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 sidewalk and site restoration. Paver installation at the intersection of Chestnut and Commercial Street is also underway. 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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