What to expect as I-5 bridge, culvert work south of Bellingham begins
Work starts Wednesday on a three-year series of projects to build new bridges and widen culverts that carry several salmon-bearing streams under Interstate 5 south of Bellingham.
Cost of the project is close to $160 million and will be done in three phases starting Wednesday night, according to a statement from the Washington State Department of Transportation to announce the project timeline. It’s part of a statewide effort to create easier passage for migrating and spawning salmon as part of a court order that recognizes tribal rights.
Efforts to boost stream flow are required because of a 2013 court ruling that said the state must protect salmon runs under treaties with its Indigenous people, whose culture is deeply rooted in the endangered fish. Salmon are important to the Coast Salish people as a source of food and they provide a spiritual connection to their ancestors.
Starting Wednesday, drivers can expect overnight single-lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through early June. Work will start at Lake Creek near the north end of Lake Samish. There will be occasional nighttime rolling slowdowns where traffic is briefly held or slowed to create a safe work zone ahead.
Temporary two-lane bypass roads will be built for northbound and southbound I-5 traffic during the summer.
Construction may occur later this year at the unnamed tributaries to Friday Creek near Alger. More information will be shared after the schedule is finalized.
Locations for culvert replacement over the next three years are:
▪ I-5 at unnamed tributaries to Friday Creek (milepost 241)
▪ Lake Samish Road at unnamed tributaries to Friday Creek (Exit 240)
▪ I-5 at Lake Creek (milepost 245.8)
▪ I-5 at unnamed tributary to Lake Creek (milepost 246.2)
▪ I-5 at Chuckanut Creek (milepost 246.8)
▪ Old Samish Road at Chuckanut Creek
This story was originally published April 27, 2025 at 9:24 AM.
