Project Facts
- We will improve safety and relieve congestion at intersections.
- The project stretches from Everson-Goshen Road to SR 9.
- This $6.8 million project is funded by the 2005 transportation funding package passed by the legislature.
November 2008
- We are currently working with property owners to acquire right of way near the Smith and Nugents Corner intersections.
- Based on our engineering and analysis, and the comments we received, we believe that roundabouts at both the Smith and Nugents Corner intersections are the best way to improve safety for the approximately 13,000 drivers who travel this road daily.
- We hosted two recent open houses: One on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Glacier Chamber of Commerce, and one Thursday, Oct. 9 at fire station 2 in Nugents Corner. View photos from the Glacier or Nugents Corner open houses.
- If you weren't able to attend the open houses, you can submit comments about the project with our online form or contact Dustin Terpening or Barbara Hathaway.
Overview
We will improve intersections and make safety improvements to reduce collisions and congestion in several locations along Mount Baker Highway from Everson-Goshen Road to the SR 9 intersection in Deming. This highway is a primary east-west route for communities east of Bellingham, and the only road to the Mt. Baker Ski Area and Artist Point in the North Cascades.
Why is WSDOT
improving Mount Baker Highway?
On average 13,000 drivers use Mount Baker Highway near Deming daily. From 2002 to 2006 there were 136 collisions between Everson-Goshen Road and Nugents Corner. One person died and 85 were injured in 56 of the collisions. The two intersections with the most collisions were Smith Road, with 21, and Nugents Corner, with 20.
We have $6.8 million to design and make safety improvements in 2010. Engineers plan to focus most of the money on improving safety at the Smith and Nugents Corner intersections because of all the collisions.
The End Result
Based on our engineering and analysis, and the comments we received from you, we believe that roundabouts at both the Smith and Nugents Corner intersections are the best way to improve safety for the approximately 13,000 drivers who travel this road daily.
Project Benefits
- Safety - We will make safety improvements to help prevent collisions.
- Congestion - We will reduce congestion and improve safety at intersections.
- Environment - We will improve the water quality in streams by treating stormwater runoff and controlling the speed at which water drains into local creeks and streams.
What is the project timeline?
- June 18, 2008 - We held an open house near Bellingham. Photos and design concepts are posted online.
- Sept. 23, 2008 - We held an open house in Glacier, at the Chamber of Commerce. Photos are posted online.
- Oct. 9, 2008 - We will host an open house in Deming, at Whatcom County Fire Station 2.
- 2010 - begin construction
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. If you have comments or questions, please e-mail Dustin Terpening.
For those unable to attend the open houses, more information about the projects is available on the WSDOT Web site - www.wsdot.wa.gov/northwest/baker/projects/, or by contacting Dustin Terpening at Terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-757-5997.
To see pictures and intersection designs from the first open house (in June, 2008), visit our Flickr account.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. During project design, WSDOT will work to reduce the impact to wetlands, creeks and rivers that could be in the project area.
A detailed analysis of the project's environmental impacts will be completed and, if necessary, an appropriate plan for mitigation of impacts 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
Improvements will decrease the risk of collisions and improve traffic flow. They will also make it easier and safer to cross the busy highway.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
We will consult with tribes and other interested parties as we develop this project.
At WSDOT we seek 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.
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 fund sources:
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $6,823,000
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $6,823,000
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Communications Dustin Terpening
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233-3415
Phone: 360-757-5997
E-mail: Terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov
Project Manager Barbara Hathaway
1415 Pacific Drive
Burlington, WA 98233
Phone: 360-757-5838
E-mail: hathawb@wsdot.wa.gov
Whatcom County Highway E-mail Updates
Sign up to receive e-mail updates direction to your inbox - www.wsdot.wa.gov/northwest/emailupdates.
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