Port of Bellingham pushes ahead with 2025 upgrades to airport and waterfront properties
The Port of Bellingham is moving forward with new projects and updates this year after announcing its 2025 plans last November.
The Port’s $36.7 million budget for 2025, including $12.4 million in state and federal grants, will be used toward Bellingham’s airport, shipping terminal and other projects, according to previous reporting by The Bellingham Herald.
The Port is currently working on “200 capital projects,” according to a 2025 update from Public Affairs Administrator Michael Hogan.
“The Port’s largest ongoing capital project is a multi-year effort to modernize the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. The Shipping Terminal has historically been one of our community’s largest family-wage job creators and its importance to the regional economy cannot be understated,” the report states.
In December, contamination was removed in front of the shipping terminal, which increased navigation depth in the water, allowing a larger class of vessels to return to the shipping terminal after years of being unable to do so.
“The Port’s next largest capital project is the removal of historic contamination from the I&J Waterway, one of a dozen cleanup sites in Bellingham Bay. This cleanup project is protecting marine life, safeguarding public health, and rebuilding marine infrastructure in support of our vibrant working waterfront,” the report states.
“The Port is excited to see two more large Bellingham Bay clean-up sites start construction later this year which will set the stage for the city of Bellingham to build Salish Landing, the city’s largest waterfront park.”
The Port of Bellingham is also planning upgrades and additions to Bellingham International Airport.
“Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is a countywide resource, and the Port was pleased to see Alaska Airlines add a fourth daily flight from Bellingham to Seattle this month. While the airline industry remains challenged by a shortage of pilots and planes, the Port put into place a new airline incentive package to support recruitment efforts and is working hard to add new flights and new destinations,” Hogan wrote in a statement.
Planned runway upgrades will allow commercial flights to Mexico, including repaving the runway — for an estimated cost more than $30 million — and an airport traffic control tower replacement estimated to cost more than $100 million.
New improvements are also coming to Bellingham’s waterfront, The Portal Container Village and pump bike track, such as the Port teaming up with the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition to add a “fun zone” to the waterfront for young bike riders.
“When you visit the waterfront, make sure to check out new public access to the water next to the Acid Ball. The Port is pleased to offer temporary access in front of the new Granary Avenue condominiums until the city of Bellingham completes a permanent extension of Waypoint Park,” the report states.
“2025 is shaping up to be the best year ever on Bellingham’s downtown waterfront,” Hogan said in the report.
