Date:
Monday, June 23, 2008
Contact:
Tom Stacey, WSDOT Project Manager, 360-757-5982
Dustin Terpening, WSDOT Communications, 360-757-5997
BURLINGTON – WSDOT recently finished researching and analyzing I-5 through Bellingham and found problems that need funding and improvements. The community is invited to learn more about the problems and discuss improvements at an open house this week.
The open house will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 at Kulshan Middle School in the Commons room, 1250 Kenoyer Street in Bellingham.
WSDOT found that numerous interchanges are too close together; 28 of 38 ramps are too short or sharp; congestion on local streets clogs interchanges and causes dangerous backups on the interstate; too many drivers use the interstate for short trips through town; the “rush hour” periods are expected to only get worse; there were 718 crashes on I-5 from 2003 to 2005; and freight will substantially increase.
Possible improvement options include rebuilding interchanges; lengthening ramps; adding new lanes between interchanges to help traffic merge on and off the interstate;
reserving space in the median for transit, carpool, freight or toll lanes; and improving the local street network.
WSDOT is seeking funding to make improvements. The long-term goal of the I-5 master plan is to improve safety and relieve congestion along a 10-mile stretch of I-5 from Fairhaven Parkway (exit 250) to Slater Road (exit 260) in Bellingham.
WSDOT would also like to hear from people who can’t attend the open house. People who can’t attend are encouraged to contact Tom Stacey by phone at 360-757-5982 or by e-mail at StaceyT@wsdot.wa.gov. Detailed project information can be found on the WSDOT Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/FairhavenToSlater.
The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodation may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations or other reasonable accommodations.
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