Project Facts
- Whatcom County's population has grown by more than 150 percent since I-5 was built in the 1960s.
- I-5 in Whatcom County is a critical north-south connection between the United States and the Canadian border.
- This project is a component of the I-5 Fairhaven to Slater Interstate Master Plan, which will identify transportation issues and make recommendations for improvements to the interstate, including interchanges and connected local roads from Fairhaven Parkway (exit 250) to Slater Road (exit 260) in Whatcom County. The Master Plan will be completed by summer 2008.
July 2008
- We have completed our traffic analysis. For an overview of the findings you can review the executive summary online.
- Would you like Whatcom County highway information sent directly to your inbox? Sign up for e-mail updates and we will keep you posted on upcoming lane closures, delays and construction projects that may affect your commute or neighborhood.
Overview
We analyzed traffic patterns in and around the busy commercial area on Guide Meridian and nearby I-5 interchanges. The project study area spanned from Ferndale (Exit 262) in the north to Sunset Drive in the south (Exit 255). The analysis evaluated strategies to help enhance safety, relieve congestion, and improve freight mobility. For a more detailed overview of the findings, you can review the executive summary.
We will incorporate the results of the SR 539 – I-5 Improved Access Project into the I-5 Fairhaven to Slater Interstate Master Plan. Other methods for improving this interchange will be explored and included in the Master Plan. We will use the Master Plan to identify a broader systemwide approach to help improve safety and relieve congestion from the Fairhaven Parkway Interchange (exit 250) to the Slater Road Interchange (exit 260) on I-5. The plan will be complete in summer 2008. We have $14 million to begin construction in 2010, fixing the highest priority locations identified in the Master Plan.
Why is WSDOT
looking at ways to improve access between I-5 and Guide Meridian?
Whatcom County’s population has grown by more than 150 percent since I-5 was built in the 1960s. This population change has caused traffic volumes and congestion along Guide Meridian to increase. In addition to growth, the on- and off-ramps between I-5 and Guide Meridian do not meet current state and federal design standards. The ramps are short which make it difficult for drivers to safely enter and exit I-5. These factors prompted WSDOT to analyze traffic on Guide Meridian and nearby I-5 interchanges.
The End Result
The results of the SR 539 – I-5 Improved Access project determined that building a new interchange north of Guide Meridian at Smith Road will not help reduce traffic volumes and congestion at the interchange between I-5 and Guide Meridian. The findings from this effort will be incorporated into the I-5 Fairhaven to Slater Interstate Master Plan.
We will pursue other ways to help improve safety and relieve congestion at the interchange between I-5 and Guide Meridian, which will then be evaluated and considered as part of the I-5 Fairhaven to Slater Interstate Master Plan. The final Master Plan will identify a list of short- and long-term improvements to help improve safety and relieve congestion between Fairhaven Parkway and Slater Road. It will be completed by summer 2008.
Project Benefits
- Safety: Bringing the on- and off-ramps between I-5 and Guide Meridian up to current state and federal design standards will help enhance safety and mobility by making more room for vehicles to gain speed or slow down when entering and exiting I-5.
- Congestion relief: Improving access between I-5 and Guide Meridian will help relieve congestion and improve traffic flow.
- Future projects: Analyzing current and future traffic patterns on Guide Meridian and nearby I-5 interchanges will help us to design future projects that will help improve safety and relieve congestion.
What is the project timeline?
Public Involvement
We hosted a public open house on Nov. 4, 2004 at Bellingham High School. The public reviewed and commented on 13 conceptual project designs and spoke one-on-one with project staff.
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. You may submit a comment using our online comment form or send an e-mail to Tom Stacey with your comments and questions.
You may also check the I-5 Fairhaven to Slater Interstate Master Plan Web site for regular project updates.
Environmental Protection
We make every effort to assess and minimize the environmental effects from our projects. When funding is identified for project design, we will work to reduce any identified impacts to wetlands, creeks, wildlife, rivers, and other identified environmental resources in the project area. A detailed analysis of the project's environmental effects will also be completed and, if necessary, an appropriate plan for mitigation for those effects will be developed and documented as part of the environmental documentation and environmental permitting processes.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
The results of the traffic analysis will help determine which improvements will help enhance safety and mobility for drivers at the interchange between I-5 and Guide Meridian. The findings from this location-specific analysis will be incorporated into the I-5 Fairhaven to Slater Interstate Master Plan, which will recommend a final list of improvements that emphasize safety.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
WSDOT seeks to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
WSDOT will work with both the Lummi and Nooksack Tribes throughout this project.
To learn more about the tribal consultation process please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find links to WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Manager, Tom Stacey
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233
Phone: 360.757.5981
Email: StaceyT@wsdot.wa.gov
Communications, Dustin Terpening
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233
Phone: 360.757.5997
Email: TerpeniD@wsdot.wa.gov
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