These Bellingham bridges were already scheduled for replacement. Then came 2021 flooding
Now that the North State Street bridge has opened after a year-long project to replace the 80-year-old span, two more bridges over Whatcom Creek are slated to be rebuilt.
Bridges on James Street south of Meador Avenue and on Meador Avenue between State and Humbolt streets, are both scheduled for replacement next year, city officials said.
Construction on both bridges is scheduled in 2023, project engineer Aric Smathers told The Bellingham Herald.
“The projects are in the design and permitting phase, which could impact the timeline and cost of the projects. The current estimate for construction of the projects is $3.6 million for James Street bridge and $3.7 million for Meador Avenue bridge,” Smathers said in an email.
Both bridges were closed briefly for inspection after they were hit by water and debris as Whatcom Creek carried six times its normal volume of water during the first round of heavy rain and flooding in November 2021.
Some 5.57 inches of rain fell over the three-day period from Nov. 13-15 — more than the normal November total of 5.2 inches, according to National Weather Service records.
Both bridges were built in 1936 and rebuilt in 1962, according to previous Herald reporting.
Some 6,700 cars and trucks use the James Street bridge daily, and 3,700 travel over the Meador Avenue bridge.
This story was originally published April 26, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
