Project Overview: ER015 & ER016
James Street and Meador Avenue are federally classified major collectors serving the surrounding neighborhoods in the middle of Bellingham. The two bridges to be replaced were originally built in 1936 and rebuilt in 1962 and are nearly identical. Both are built on timber piers which have been deteriorating. The project includes removal and replacement of the two bridges with single span bridges with varying cross sections. Improvements will also consist of replacing existing water main on the bridges, relocating existing sanitary sewer infrastructure, mitigating stormwater, relocating franchise utility, and other work associated with the replacement of the bridges.
While the bridges are being designed and constructed as one project, each bridge is funded separately by Federal Local Bridge Program Funds as well as local Street Funds and costs will be tracked and reported separately. Construction is expected for spring/summer 2023 and every effort will need to be made to minimize disruption to local businesses and school buses from the Bellingham Public School Bus Yard within the project limits. The two bridges received two separate Federal Highway Bridge Program awards and are considered separate projects in the STIP. Both projects are federally funded through the WSDOT STP(BR) bridge replacement program.
Major challenges in this approach would be permitting, physical construction of both bridges, traffic control, cost tracking, coordination and other items associated with building two bridges together. Stormwater management, meeting redevelopment standards for water quality, and flow attenuation, will be required in accordance with current City of Bellingham and Department of Ecology Standards.
Status – December 2022
Accomplishments: 90% Design and permit applications are in process. WSDOT approved a public interest finding (PIF) to bid the projects together.
Next Milestones: 100% Design and project advertisement, depending on permit timeline.
Project Details
- Status – Design
- Nearing 90% design.
- Contract awarded –
- Contract amount –
- Contractor –
- Vicinity Map
More Information
Contact
Aric Smathers, PE
Phone: (360) 778-7942
Email: arsmathers@cob.org
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