It's an interesting week, with Families Belong Together rally Saturday, Canada Day Sunday and 4th of July Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday. All this will affect traffic, as will street construction projects underway. So as always, please travel with care. Here are the projects still under way which may affect you.
Texas Street – Pacific Street to Valencia Street
Work is scheduled to begin on an overlay project to repave Texas Street between Pacific and Valencia streets. In addition, modifications will be made to the existing traffic circles and another traffic circle added for safety enhancements. We will install a lighted sidewalk on the south side of the corridor for pedestrian safety. Flaggers will be on-site during the work with through traffic restricted for portions of the project. Local access will be maintained. For more information, contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer at camueller@cob.org or phone (360) 778-7922. (Note, the earlier project on Texas Street wrapped up; this is a new one.)
Mahogany Avenue
Work is underway to construct Mahogany Avenue between Pacific Highway and Northwest Drive, including the intersection of Arctic Avenue with Mahogany Ave. This project accommodates new and proposed development in the area. Roadway improvements will include two travel lanes, bike lanes, illumination, landscaping, curbing, gutter and sidewalks. Drivers can expect to see flaggers on site, with construction likely through 2018. For more information, visit the City's project web page or contact Sam Shipp, P.E., project engineer, at sshipp@cob.org or (360) 778-7942.
Donovan Avenue – 21st Street to east of 24th Street (Connolly Creek)
Work to replace an old and unreliable watermain on Donovan Avenue is ongoing. Over the next months, the main will be replaced from Old Fairhaven Parkway to Connolly Creek. Due to construction and the narrowness of the street Donovan is closed to through traffic at the areas of active construction. Residents can expect construction noise between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and temporary water disruption (those affected will be notified two-to-three days prior.) For more information, visit the City's project web page or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., project engineer, at camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
Cornwall Avenue at Laurel Street
This project will deliver new public and franchise utilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, parking, landscaping and street lighting, as well as street access to the waterfront. There are lane closures along with construction and delivery vehicles coming and going from the intersections at the Roeder and Granary, and Cornwall and Laurel intersections. Contractors will also be accessing the Granary Building via the Granary and Roeder intersection. Please be alert and cautious in the area. As a reward, here's is a video view of the site at sunset. For more information, contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
Silver Beach Ave and Arbor Court – water pretreatment
Work on the City's new water pretreatment plant at Whatcom Falls Park is in the home stretch. Workers are on-site Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Fridays ending at 3:30 p.m., and on Saturday, June 30. There may be extra traffic associated with that work with flagging and limited trail access. Parking at Arbor Court and adjacent access to the waterline trail is closed. For more, visit the City's web page at DAF Water Treatment Plant or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., project engineer, at fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
WSDOT and Whatcom County
The State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) may have projects that border Bellingham. For more information visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/. For updates on Whatcom County Public Works traffic projects near Bellingham, visit http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/308/Public-Works.
At 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, proceed with caution and obey flaggers at all times. 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 change, depending on inclement weather or last-minute changes in work schedules. For questions, contact AskPW@cob.org.
