Heading into December, the early dark and wintry weather could impact travel, even as leaves continue to fall. It is important to help keep storm drains clear to mitigate street flooding. Additional potential traffic impacts include a number of City street projects. Please travel with care and alert to pedestrians and cyclists in the dark.
Electrification of Transportation, phase 1
Work continues on the City’s Electrification of Transportation project, which includes installation of eight electric vehicle (EV) chargers at six sites throughout Bellingham. This is first of two phases for the project. Construction at 10th Street near Taylor Dock and Cornwall Park is largely complete and work is underway at the City Hall site. Chargers are not currently operational, but should become so during December. For more information, visit the Electrification of Transportation project webpage or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., via fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Little Squalicum Estuary
Crews are performing minor site maintenance while channel designs are confirmed with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. Full work is expected to resume by early December; however, until then the project site remains closed, as there are on-site hazards. Trails in the project vicinity remain closed, though there is currently limited beach access from West Illinois Street. The park will remain open on the land side of Marine Drive, with access from Bellingham Technical College and West Illinois. For more information, visit the Little Squalicum Estuary project webpage or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., via fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
West Cemetery Creek water quality improvements
The installation of sediment control-and-capture structures in the creek bed project is complete, with restoration work underway at both Lakeway Drive and Old Lakeway, drivers may experience some lane closures and delays westbound at both locations. For more, visit the West Cemetery Creek Water Quality Improvements or West Cemetery project webpages.
City Operations Center – Pacific and Carolina streets
The City’s new Pacific Street Operations Center and vehicle barn should be done within months. The exteriors are complete, other than landscaping, and interior work continues. The new vehicle barn should be complete in time for winter’s worst weather. The section of Nevada Street between Carolina and Virginia streets remains closed as work continues, but the sidewalk is open. For additional information, check the City Operations buildings project webpage.
Sanitary sewer rehab – Whatcom Creek
Re-lining work is complete. Remaining work includes removal of temporary bypass piping and restoration of Whatcom Creek Trail due to both construction impact and last year’s heavy flooding. No impacts to traffic are anticipated. At times, bypass and sewer rehabilitation work will require closure and detouring a portion of the Whatcom Creek trail. For more information, or for a map of the trail closure and more information, visit the Whatcom Creek Trunk Main website.
Mill Avenue overlay
Close-out work continues on the Mill Avenue project with the pedestrian ramp handrail due for installation in December. Minor traffic impacts and access limitations may occur as this occurs. To learn more, visit the Mill Avenue overlay project website.
Whatcom County
The County continues a series of road maintenance projects which could impact travel near Bellingham. For information and locations of County road projects with traffic delays near Bellingham, visit the Whatcom County Public Works website.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
Real-time traffic information is available via WSDOT traffic app or the WSDOT north Twitter feed.
This report is provided as a public service based on currently available information. When traveling through a construction area – whether walking, cycling or driving – be patient and obey flaggers. Road closures and restrictions are necessary to allow for work such as resurfacing, sidewalk construction, water and sewer main work or utility cuts. Dates, times and work locations may vary, depending on weather or work schedule changes. For more information, email AskPW@cob.org.
