A water main replacement project downtown on Cornwall Avenue may cause minor traffic delays during spring and summer 2008.
The project, which began in March, is expected to take 4 to 5 months to complete, during which time drivers using Cornwall Avenue should expect intermittent delays on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sidewalks will remain open.
The city is installing a new 12-inch-diameter ductile iron water main on Cornwall Avenue from Chestnut Street to W. Illinois Street and on Halleck Street between Cornwall Avenue and New Street.
The new main will replace the existing 10-inch cast iron pipe, originally installed in 1918. For more information on Cornwall Avenue's surface history, see "Digging Through 100 Years of History" (PDF).
Strider Construction will install the new main under contract with the City of Bellingham. The project includes installing new water meter boxes at non-metered residences and new fire hydrants. The total estimated project cost is $2.2 million.
"Replacing this water main is critical to providing reliable service in this area," said city Engineering Manager Ravyn Whitewolf, adding that six major breaks have required repairs on Cornwall Avenue since 1994.
One crew will begin on Chestnut Street and work north, while a second crew will start at Alabama Street and work south. When this section is complete, crews will work from Alabama Street north to W. Illinois Street. Once the water main is installed, tested and operational, a new asphalt surface will be installed on Cornwall Avenue from York Street to E. North Street.
Cornwall Avenue, between Chestnut and Ohio, will be closed to vehicle traffic one block at a time during work hours and opened each night. Detours will be in place. Parking will be prohibited 24-hours a day on the block that is closed for construction.
Water customers will not experience any interruption in water service until the end of the project, when the old main is shut down and the new main is activated. Customers will be notified of this in advance.
Work will cease during the Ski-to-Sea Junior and Grand parades.
For more information, please contact the Public Works Department.
Date Posted: Mar 21, 2008
