The first full week of September begins with the Labor Day Holiday on Monday, which likely increase traffic on city streets as does the second week of school for Bellingham students. As well, the following city street construction projects could also affect travel through town. Please travel with care and patience.
Padden Creek improvements – 24th to 30th streets
Construction has begun on a habitat improvement project along Padden Creek between the confluence of Connelly Creek and the upstream footbridge. Crews and equipment will access the site from Old Fairhaven Parkway. The Connelly Creek trail will remain open. The project will create and enhance existing wetlands, add complexity to the stream habitat and will remove invasive plant species. For more information, visit the Padden Creek Improvements Webpage or contact Craig Mueller, P.E., via camueller@cob.org or (360) 778-7922.
Little Squalicum Estuary
Construction crews continue excavation for the estuary habitat project at Little Squalicum Park. Crews and equipment will access the site from Lindbergh Drive and are now excavating for culvert installation and removing material from the site. Trails in the project vicinity are closed and there is currently limited beach access. The Park will remain open on the land side of Marine Drive, with access from Bellingham Technical College and West Illinois Street. For more information, visit the Little Squalicum Estuary project webpage or contact Freeman Anthony, P.E., via fanthony@cob.org or (360) 778-7924.
City Operations Center – Pacific and Carolina streets
The City’s new Operations Center and vehicle barn should be complete by the end of the year. Currently electricians, plumbers, HVAC, drywall, framers are at work. The vehicle barn now has a partial roof, siding going up, some interior framing and plumbing and electrical layouts, and iron workers setting the mezzanine deck. The section of Nevada Street between Carolina and Virginia streets will remain closed due to construction but the sidewalk is open. For more information, visit the City Operations buildings project webpage.
Sanitary sewer rehab – Whatcom Creek
The block of Railroad Avenue between York and Champion will be closed to through traffic until late September to allow for bypass piping. Access to this parking will remain available from either end. At times, bypass and sewer rehabilitation work will require closure and detouring of a portion of the Whatcom Creek trail and may include short-term impacts to traffic on James Street or Meador Avenue south of the creek. For a map of the trail closure and more information, visit the Whatcom Creek Trunk Main website.
West Cemetery Creek water quality improvements
The installation of sediment control-and-capture structures is wrapping up at Lakeway Drive; work is beginning adjacent to Old Lakeway Drive. Outfall repair work at both sites will begin in September. For more, visit the West Cemetery Creek Water Quality Improvements or West Cemetery project webpages.
Mill Avenue overlay
Project close-out work continues on the Mill Avenue project. Minor traffic impacts and access limitations may occur as work concludes. 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. 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)
WSDOT recommends planning ahead for summer travel, as work continues along I-5. 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.
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