The state Department of Transportation is busy in Bellingham this week. On Thursday, Oct. 28, there will be overnight closures and lane detours at several I-5 ramps throughout town. Meanwhile the Padden Creek fish passage project at I-5 and Fairhaven Parkway continues, with some impacts on 30th Street adjacent to I-5. These projects, as well as others around town and sometimes fierce weather conditions, could affect traffic conditions. As always, please travel with care.
City Operations Center – Pacific and Carolina streets
At the site of the City’s new administrative services building, concrete footings are poured and backfill is mostly complete. Masons are on-site building the concrete masonry unit wall. Over the next phase of construction there may also be occasional increases in truck traffic. For more information, visit the project webpage or contact Chris Jacox, at cjjacox@cob.org or (360) 778-7700.
West Cemetery Creek water quality improvements
Work continues on the West Cemetery Creek Water Quality Improvement project to install sediment control-and-capture structures along with stormwater outfall repairs within a portion of the Creek. These improvements will help reduce sediment in the creek and improve its stability. The project includes installation of large woody debris and repair of existing outfalls. The contractor is wrapping up work in the area west of the Sweetbay Drive and Wildflower Way intersections and will be doing restoration and invasive weed removal for three to four weeks. Minor work on Old Lakeway is currently scheduled for the last week of October. Future work areas will be along the westbound lanes of Lakeway and Old Lakeway drive. Trail closures are posted and marked, with alternate routes identified. For more information visit the West Cemetery Creek Water Quality Improvements or West Cemetery project webpage or contact Freeman Anthony P.E. at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Stormwater facility rebuild – Park Place
The stormwater facility at 123 Park Place, east of Britton Road and North Shore Drive, is being rebuilt to remove phosphorus from stormwater heading into Lake Whatcom. Stormwater will be treated with Phosphorus Optimized Stormwater Treatment system (POST) material, or media, which is a soil mixed with other components to facilitate the removal of the phosphorus from the stormwater before it is released into the lake. The POST system is a new stormwater treatment system, and this will be the first full-size system installed with the POST media for stormwater treatment. During the project, travelers can expect increased construction traffic during construction and intermittent lane closures on North Shore Drive and adjacent to the road. Crews work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday (and some Fridays), currently they are preparing the site for installation of the POST media. A seasonal exemption has been approved, so that work can be completed in November. For more information, please contact Aric Smathers, P.E. project engineer, at (360) 778-7942 or arsmathers@cob.org or visit the Park Place Water Quality Facility Reconstruction project webpage.
State and Ellis – bridge replacement (pictured)
A project to replace an 80-year-old wood-supported bridge on one of the major traffic routes through Bellingham continues. The project will result in a new single span concrete structure over Whatcom Creek. The wooden piles within Whatcom Creek will be removed and the in-stream habitat below the bridge restored. Businesses in the area remain open, with the road now closed to traffic. The detour reroutes traffic to Ohio Street, Cornwall Avenue, and York Street. (View detour map here.) Northbound Forest Street and Ellis Street will experience some single lane closures throughout the project’s duration. Crews are intermittently pile-driving and have completed demolition of the existing bridge. The in-water work is completed by and crews will return to normal work hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, please contact Aric Smathers, P.E. project engineer, at (360) 778-7942 or arsmathers@cob.org or visit the State and Ellis bridge replacement project webpage.
Orchard Drive connector – I-5 underpass
The Orchard Drive extension project will create an arterial connection between James Street at Orchard Drive under I-5 and will connect to the Birchwood Avenue and Squalicum Parkway intersection. Once the new street is in place, it will provide a direct connection from the King Mountain neighborhood to the hospital and alleviate congestion on Ellis Street as well as the Meridian and Sunset Drive I-5 crossings. The project will include bicycle lanes in both directions and lighted sidewalks on the north side of Orchard and will convert the James Street intersection to a stop light. The Squalicum Creek Trail has reopened to the public. The opening of the new street will occur once street lighting and signal poles are available and installed, likely in December. For more information, visit the Orchard Drive Extension webpage or contact the project engineer, Craig Mueller, P.E., at camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
WSDOT Padden Creek fish passage – I-5 and State Route 11
Traffic impacts – including some closures – continue while work is underway on a pair of culverts under Interstate 5 and State Route 11 in south Bellingham that have blocked salmon and other fish from traveling upstream. The State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is replacing those culverts. From Monday through Thursday, continuing through September, lane closures could occur, between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. The I-5 on-ramp will be affected as well. For more information, check out the WSDOT project report online or sign up to receive updates via WSDOT’s personalized information delivery.
Asphalt and concrete repairs – streets and sidewalks
The annual asphalt and concrete repair for streets and sidewalks throughout Bellingham is in progress, likely through November. Repair crews are working all over town to address a list of needed repairs. For more information, contact Street Division Supervisor Brandon Brubaker, at bsbrubaker@cob.or or (360) 778-7726.
Sanitary sewer rehab – Whatcom Creek
The Whatcom Creek trunk main sanitary sewer rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin soon. The project limits start near the auto dealership at the intersection of Nevada Street and Whatcom Creek, and continue west along Whatcom Creek trail, around another car dealership, through the Bellingham School District bus property, and should continue south on Humboldt Street, west on Fraser Street, through the Bellingham Housing Authority, south on Franklin Street, across Ellis Street and along York Street ending just west of State Street. The project is expected to begin in late November. For more information and a site map visit the Whatcom Creek Trunk Main website or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at LJScholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.
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 projects that could impact your travel, visit https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects.
Whatcom County
For updates on County projects near Bellingham, visit the Whatcom County Public Works website. There is an option to subscribe for regular updates.
This report is provided 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 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. For more information, email AskPW@cob.org.
