Road Report for August 26-30

City, County, State street construction to impact traffic

August 23, 2019 - by Amy Cloud, Communications and Outreach

In the calm before the storm of another school year’s launch, crews are hurrying to finish some street construction projects.  And drivers and cyclists continue to adjust to the new bike lane striping downtown. As could be expected, there may be traffic impacts, so please travel with care.

Aldrich Road – Overlay
A project to repair and repave Aldrich Road is underway; road users can expect to see construction crews on site for asphalt overlay work.  The final paving is scheduled for next week, major delays may be encountered. Striping work will follow which may require minor traffic delays through the corridor. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.

2019 Transportation Benefit District projects – several locations (Chestnut Street pictured)
Rechannelization of Chestnut Street downtown – restriping a lane of travel to convert from vehicle to bicycle use – is now complete from Railroad Avenue to Key Street. Please note the lane shift through the Railroad-Chestnut intersection.  Other portions of the 2019 Transportation Benefit District project now under construction; as part of that work, 24th Street will be closed to through traffic for the next few weeks. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, via fanthony@cob.org or (30) 778-7924.

Lake Whatcom – Silver Beach Ave/Huntington, Northshore at Maynard, Flynn/Prospect  
Several Lake Whatcom water quality projects are underway to modify existing drainage infrastructure in order to improve water quality protections from pollution, stormwater runoff and phosphorous. Project work will commence next week and will include vault installation work on all sites.  All three project sites will have the roadway fully closed for a portion of time and drivers can expect some delays or detours. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.

Boulevard Park – Bayview Drive   
Construction activities continue at Boulevard Park at Bayview Drive with installation of electrical and communication vaults.  While the entrance to  Boulevard Park is currently open, some delays will occur as Bayview Drive is prepped for paving. Other traffic control, partial road closures and intermittent trail closures will continue into October. Night work may occur, in order to minimize disruptions to daily traffic.  For more information, check here or contact the project engineer Gina Austin, P.E., at gaustin@cob.org or (360) 778-7000.

Lake Padden Park – sewer project
Restrooms are open during work to replace sewer facilities in and around them on the east side of Lake Padden Park near the dog park and playground. Work is currently suspended but should resume shortly for installation of electrical and component systems, and the final system switch-over and decommissioning of the old system. For more information, visit the project web page or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at LJScholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.

E. Maplewood Ave, W. Illinois Street, Lorraine Ellis Court – watermain replacements   
Construction continues on Lorraine Ellis Court, on W. Illinois between Lynn Street and Northwest Avenue, and on E. Maplewood Avenue. The new watermains have been installed and the project is nearly complete, with some minor landscaping and roadway restoration remaining.  Traffic control may be in place and some short detours could still be necessary. For more, visit the project web page or contact Larry Scholten, P.E., project engineer, at LJScholten@cob.org or (360) 778-7923.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
The State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews are busy in Bellingham this summer.  There may still be some I-5 ramp work through Bellingham.  And WSDOT continues to work east from I-5 east out Sunset Drive to Mount Baker Highway, with work that could cause delays of up to 45 minutes.  As part of the project, WSDOT contractors have a variance for “after hours” work this summer (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) For more information visit https://wsdot.wa.gov/projects.

Whatcom County
For updates on Whatcom County Public Works roadway 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 obey flaggers at all times. 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) 778-7929
preed@cob.org


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