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For real-time traveler information.
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Construction schedules and activities are subject to weather conditions. Please review the construction updates on this page for the most current information on construction projects. Travelers also can call 511 for real-time traffic and weather updates.
If you have questions or comments that are not addressed by these resources, please contact the
Communications Office at 206-440-4697.
Updates are posted frequently.
Last updated: Sept. 5, 11 a.m.
Highlights for Sept. 5 - 12, 2008
Whatcom County
Skagit County
Island County
Special Events
8 a.m., 9/5
I-5: Peace Arch Port of Entry Reconstruction
Bill Lesh, General Service Administration, Public Affairs Manager, 503-326-2306
Mike Nuernberger, General Service Administration, Project Manager, 253-931-7306
Crews are replacing the 31-year-old Peace Arch Port of Entry. The current port is not big enough to handle all the cars that use it on a daily basis and does not meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Crews also will rebuild a bridge and sections of the interstate both north and south of the station.
- SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC REVISION - All southbound traffic is being directed off the freeway at the D Street Exit 276 to Blaine as they leave the border station. From there, travelers can cross D Street and return to the freeway southbound or they can proceed south on SR 548 through Blaine on Peace Portal Drive and re-enter the freeway, south of the City (I-5 Exit 274.)
- NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC REVISION: Northbound traffic is being routed to the west, using the southbound lanes through the east side of the U.S. border station. There is no access to northbound I-5 from D Street (exit 276). Instead, northbound drivers are being detoured east on D Street to SR 543 and then north to the Pacific Highway crossing to Canada.
8 a.m. 9/5
SR 544: Pole/Hannegan signalization project (Whatcom County)
Milepost 1.97
Whatcom County will install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Hannegan and Pole roads.
- Lane closure Sept. 8-12: Crews will close one lane from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews relocate utilities. Flaggers will direct traffic through the intersection. Delays are expected.
8 a.m. 9/5
SR 9: Wetland mitigation for Horton Road to SR 546 #7492
Milepost 75.22 and 77.37
Crews will be accesing wetland mitigation sites off SR 9 and off Potter Road.
- No construction delays the week of Sept. 8.
8 a.m. 9/5
SR 11: City of Bellingham sewer extension
Milepost 18.85 (north of Samish Lake Road)
Crews will be extending a city sewer line.
- Daytime lane closures: Crews msyclose lanes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 8-12 to construct the new sewer line. Flaggers will alternate traffic through the work zone. Delays are expected.
11 a.m. 9/5
Skagit/Whatcom Roadside Safety Improvements
Crews will install guardrail, remove fixed objects and improve roadsides to reduce collisions and improve safety along SR 9, SR 11, SR 20, SR 542 and SR 547. Funding for this project is provided by the 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding Package.
- SR 9: No work the week of Sept. 8.
- SR 11: No work the week of Sept. 8.
- SR 20: LANE CLOSURE 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8-12: Various locations between milepost 66 and 102 to install rumble strips and stripe the roadway.
- SR 542: No work the week of Sept 8.
- SR 547: No work the week of Sept. 8.
11 a.m. 9/5
Thunder Creek and Coal Creek bridge scour
Milepost 63.5 (SR 9); Milepost 69.9 (SR 20)
Dave Crisman, Project Engineer, 360-428-1593
Crews will do bridge scour work on the Thunder Creek bridge on SR 9 just north of the Prairie Road intersection, and on the Coal Creek bridge on SR 20, just east of Sedro Woolley.
- Crews will be working off the roadway at Thunder Creek. Trucks will be entering and leaving the work areas.
11 a.m., 9/5
SR 20: Sidney Street to Scenic Heights, #7232
Mileposts: 27.32 to 31.03
Dave Crisman, Project Engineer, 360-428-1593
To reduce the risk of collisions on SR 20, we straightened sharp corners, leveled hills, widened lanes and shoulders, removed trees and moved utility poles. Construction started in April 2007.
- Crews will complete cleanup work. No delays expected.
- Sign up for Highway 20 e-mail updates.
11 a.m., 9/5
SR 20: Quiet Cove Road to SR 20 Spur, Stage 1, #7358
Milepost: 44.65 to 45.05
Dave Crisman, Project Engineer, 360-428-1593
We will widen and realign State Route 20 from Meadow Creek to South Lake Campbell Road. We also will close an intersection, add a turn lane and build a new bridge. Changes along this section of highway should reduce crashes and improve traffic flow south of Anacortes.
- LANE CLOSURE: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 to 5:30 a.m. Sept. 9: Crews will stripe the roadway near Lunz Road. Flaggers will alternate traffic through the work zone. Minor delays are expected.
- Driver Alert: The speed limit through this work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. Please slow down and use caution when driving throughout this work zone. A bicycle route is in place. Please follow signs.
11 a.m., 9/5
SR 20: Quiet Cove Road to SR 20 Spur, Stage 2, #7532
Milepost: 45.05 to 47.87
Dave Crisman, Project Engineer, 360-428-1593
We will widen and realign State Route 20 between South Lake Campbell Road and the Miller/Gibraltar Road intersection. We will also add turn lanes and make other intrsection improvements. Changes along this section of highway should reduce crashes and improve traffic flow south of Anacortes.
- LANE CLOSURE 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sept. 8-10: Crews will close the eastbound lane between S. Campbell Lake Road and Miller/Gibralter roads to complete erosion control work.
- Expect to see crews working along the shoulders during the day to do clearing work, slope stabilization, waterline installation and pond construction in the southern area of the project. This work is off the road and should not impact traffic.
11 a.m. 9/5
SR 20: Fredonia to I-5 Widening - Stage 2, #7484
Mileposts: 55.05 to 59.85
Dave Crisman, Project Engineer, 360-428-1593
We will widen SR 20 to four lanes to improve safety and reduce congestion. The second stage of this project involves widening lanes from Higgins Airport Way to the I-5 interchange, realigning the Pulver Road intersection, and building new, elevated southbound I-5 ramps.
- LANE CLOSURE 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sept. 8-9: Crews will close the northbound left lane of I-5 to remove rumblestrips and install temporary concrete barrier. Delays are expected
- LANE CLOSURE 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept 8-12: Crews will close Andis and Goldenrod roads to excavate the roadway.
- Crews will be continue building the new Higgins Slough bridge. This work is off the road and should not impact traffic.
- Crews will build sidewalks on SR 20 from Pulver Road to I-5 underneath the I-5 overpass.
11 a.m., 9/5
SR 525: Clinton ferry to Bob Galbreath Road paving
Mileposts: 8.48-9.06
Dave Crisman, Project Engineer, 360-428-1593
Crews are repaving SR 525 between the Clinton Ferry terminal and Bob Galbreath Road. Sidewalks, guardrails, lane markings and signs will be upgraded to improve driver and pedestrian safety.
- No work scheduled the week of Sept. 8.
10 a.m., 9/5
SR 539: Ten Mile Road to SR 546 Widening #7469
Milepost 5.65-10.45
Chris Damitio, Project Engineer, 360-788-7400
We will widen the highway from two lanes to four lanes and add roundabouts at four key intersections. We will build a new bridge over the Nooksack river and replace or upgrade four other bridges. Widening the highway will relieve congestion and improve traffic flow.
- Expect heavy truck traffic near the Nooksack River bridge, which could create minor delays.
- Crews will be working from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday north and south of the Nooksack River bridge on the west side of SR 539, about 1.5 miles south of Lynden. Crews will be constructing girder supports and driving pilings for several new bridges. This work will be off the road and should not impact traffic.
11 a.m., 9/5
SR 539: Horton Road to Ten Mile Road Widening, #7273
Milepost: 1.69 to 6.01
Chris Damitio, Project Engineer, 360-788-7400
We will widen the highway from two lanes to four lanes and add a turn lane on Guide Meridian north of Bellingham. Widening the highway will relieve congestion and improve traffic flow.
- FINAL PAVING STARTS SEPT. 8: Final paving will begin the week of Sept. 8. Drivers will have limited access to residences and businesses as the asphalt cools.
- Crews have shifted traffic to narrow lanes to the west at the north end of the project area to allow room for work on the east half of the Four Mile Creek and Ten Mile Creek bridges, scheduled to finish this summer.
- Drivers should use caution through the work zone.
- Sign up for Whatcom County e-mail updates.
8 a.m., 9/5
SR 542: Boulder Creek Bridge Replacement, #7342
Milepost: 28.34
Chris Damitio, Project Engineer, 360-788-7400
We will replace the 55-year-old Boulder Creek Bridge on the Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) with a higher, wider bridge. The new bridge will reduce flooding problems that close the bridge nearly every year, and it will improve fish habitat. The design includes a bike lane that will be separated from traffic by a barrier.
- Both lanes of the bridge are open to traffic.
- Sign up for Whatcom County e-mail updates.
Special Events
Run/Ride 542
Runners will cross SR 542 in four areas between 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6:
- Bottom of Chair One near the Upper Lodge
- Top of Chair Two, entering the Pan Dome Trail
- Lake Ann Trail Head crossing to the Wild Goose Trail
- Near the top where the Wild Goose Trail crosses SR 542
The road will close for cyclists between Canyon Creek Road and Artist Point from 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 7.