Planning study news
This environmental justice assessment (EJA) will be completed for the I-5/Northbound North Lake Samish to Nooksack River Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation Project. The project is on I-5 from North Lake Samish (south of the City of Bellingham) to the City of Ferndale near the Nooksack River. The project will provide pavement rehabilitation on northbound I-5 from milepost (MP) 246.06 to MP 263.04 through replacing broken concrete panels, diamond grinding all of the concrete pavement to provide a smooth driving surface and restriping the roadway. Additionally, joint rehabilitation will be completed on 10 bridges within the project limits on northbound I-5. The Portland Cement Concrete Panels (PCCP) within the project limits are approximately 60 years old and are near or have exceeded their natural life.
Purpose
Washington's environmental justice law, known as the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, requires us to conduct an environmental justice assessment (EJA) when considering Significant Agency Actions, like this project.
This EJA will help us understand the potential environmental and health impacts of the project, specifically on vulnerable populations and overburdened communities in the cities of Bellingham, Ferndale and unincorporated Whatcom County.
The Portland cement concrete panels on this section of I-5 are showing signs of deterioration, and the joints on 10 bridges need to be rehabilitated. As part of this EJA, we will engage with those who utilize this section of I-5. A community profile will be completed for areas within 0.5 miles of the project area. This community profile will be used to identify overburdened communities and vulnerable populations for engagement.
