Background:
Whatcom County routinely performs safety inspections of all County owned bridges. During one of these inspections crews found increased amounts of rot in the wood of the bridge superstructure over the water. Weight capacity on the bridge was greatly reduced to maintain safety. Without some immediate solution the bridge would have to be closed to heavy traffic including school buses and fire district vehicles.
Multiple alternatives were investigated to address this issue with the preferred solution was to restrict the bridge to one-lane at the center span while designs for a replacement structure are prepared. This reduction to one-lane allows continued access for all passenger, school, and fire district vehicles with only minimum delays. The one-lane restriction was implemented in March 2016.
Traffic will still be allowed in both directions over the bridge with a stop sign at each side. Drivers in opposite directions will need to take turns using the single lane portion of the bridge.
Whatcom County would like to express thanks for your patience and understanding during this replacement process. Should there be any questions please send them by email to
PublicWorks@co.whatcom.wa.us for the most prompt response.