Work starts on Bellingham roundabout to address safety concerns; closures on the horizon
Work starts next week on a roundabout for a busy intersection on Bellingham’s north side, where contractors will be working on a fast-tracked schedule that includes some nights.
Flaggers are directing traffic through the intersection of James Street and Bakerview Road as part of preliminary work for the $4.25 million project slated to begin Monday.
Bellingham Public Works Department spokeswoman Torhil Ramsay told The Herald that Bakerview Road will remain open throughout the project with some delays. The project has a 24-hour work schedule over 50 days in April and May, according to previous Herald reporting.
“In mid-April, James Street will close north of Bakerview for approximately 15 days; once that work is complete, James Street south of Bakerview will close for approximately 10 days, with traffic re-routed to Deemer Road,” Ramsay said in an email.
The roundabout replacing traffic signals at the intersection will address safety concerns and rush-hour backups for left turns.
According to a traffic survey in 2023, Bakerview Road carries about 11,700 cars and trucks daily at James Street, while James Street carries about 9,600.
