Project Title & Location

SR 539 - I-5 Improved Access Project

Bellingham, Washington

Project Description
We are studying traffic patterns on the Guide Meridian (SR 539) and evaluating ways to relieve congestion, enhance safety and improve freight mobility on the Guide Meridian, north of the I-5 interchange.

Contractor/Consultant
Consultant David Evans and Associates, Inc.

Recent Progress

Developed existing conditions and concept evaluation

Received notice to proceed on Supplement 6, Access Point Decision Report for

the North Bellingham from Bakerview Road (Exit 258) to Axton Way (Exit 262)

Held Project Management Team meetings on August 11 and September 14

Advisory Team meeting was held on September 20

Aerial photographs continue to be digitized for distribution to Consultant Team and

local governments

Completed High Definition Scanning survey at I-5 interchanges from Sunset (Exit

255) to Bakerview (Exit 258)

Analyzed existing and future operations for the year 2030

Began writing Access Point Decision Report (APDR)

Design Construction Impacts
(None yet identified -- still in early stage of project planning)

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

Project will prepare an Access Point Decision Report (APDR), which will start after alternative evaluation for the project has been completed.  Alternative concepts have been identified but not yet fully evaluated and thus environmental impacts have yet to be identified.  A decision through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is required before the Federal Highway Administration can approve the APDR.  Preparation of the APDR is included in Supplement 3, which was authorized in February 2005.  Environmental documentation will not be included as part of the current scope of services.

Impacts to Traffic
Project is beginning the second level of screening under the APDR process.  Improvement concepts have been identified but have yet to be evaluated – thus traffic impacts have not yet been identified.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account