Project Facts
- SR 542 is 57 miles long and runs from I-5 in Bellingham to the top of Mount Baker.
- The highway begins at an elevation of 150 feet and ends at an elevation of 5,100 feet.
- Our project will help protect fish spawning grounds that are listed on the Endangered Species Act.
July 2008
- This project is currently in the planning stage.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2010.
- Sign up for e-mail updates, and we'll keep you posted on upcoming lane closures, delays and construction projects that may affect your commute or neighborhood.
- The 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding Package provided $13.4 million for improvements on State Route 542 and the Nooksack River.
Overview
Years of flooding along the Nooksack River have caused repetitive bank and roadway damage to Mount Baker Highway (SR 542). This highway is the prime route to communities east of Bellingham, the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Mt. Baker Ski Area. To protect the roadway and drivers, we will relocate sections of the roadway away from the river and redirect parts of the river away from the roadway.
Why is WSDOT
making these improvements?
The Nooksack River is prone to seasonal flooding. These floods often damage roads, costing tens of thousands of dollars every year to repair. The road closures inherent to the repair work are a major inconvenience to drivers. We want to build long-term fixes that prevent costly emergency repairs and repeated lane closures.
The End Result
We will find the sections of highway and river that have a history of flood damage and fix them before they become another emergency repair project. Long-term solutions include shifting the highway further from the river where possible, and pushing the river further from highway when necessary.
When complete, drivers will have a safer highway that is less prone to flood damage. This proactive approach will reduce flooding and maintenance road closures, save money, and protect vital fish habitat.
Project Benefits
- Safety - We will help protect the highway and drivers from floods and highway damage.
- Congestion - Relocating the road and the river will prevent road closures, thus relieving congestion.
- Environment - We will help endangered species of fish by protecting spawning areas along the river.
What is the project timeline?
This project is currently in planning. Construction will begin in 2010.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact Dustin Terpening if you have questions or comments.
Environmental Protection
We will develop a permanent and ecologically friendly solution to protect the highway and the river. There are fish in Nooksack River that are listed on the Endangered Species Act. The Nooksack River is located in a Wild and Scenic River corridor. This project will help protect spawning areas. In addition, during construction we will employ erosion control practices both during and after ground disturbing activities. WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impact from our projects.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
For years, the Nooksack River has overflowed the banks along SR 542, forcing closures of the highway and the need for emergency repairs. This project will increase safety by reducing the possibility of flooding damage to the highway and eliminating costly road closures.
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) - $16.6 million
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $16.6 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Communications Dustin Terpening
WSDOT Mt. Baker Headquarters
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233-3415
Phone: 360-757-5997
E-mail: Terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov
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