FERNDALE - Winter has set in and crews will not be able to apply the final layer of asphalt on Main Street between Church and Douglas roads until the spring. The road is smooth, so traffic won't be affected.

Work will resume when Ferndale has extended mild weather that's absolutely dry and warmer than 45 degrees, city officials said.

RAM Construction, the contractor, requested a suspension of work and was not willing to risk failure of the final asphalt layer, which would cost more than $200,000 to repair, said city Project Manager Katy Radder.

Sidewalks between Church and Douglas are finished. New streetlights should be installed by the end of the year, officials said.

Work on the $3.6 million project began June 18. Crews widened Main Street and added a center turn lane.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-715-2289. Read the Politics Blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics.