Electric Avenue Bridge will be temporarily closed from Sept. 9–20 for repairs to reinforce the bridge’s structure.
Both travel lanes are expected to be operational after the repairs, according to the City of Bellingham’s public works department. Earlier this year in June, the bridge suddenly closed to vehicle traffic for about a week after city officials identified structural failures in an inspection. The bridge reopened to one lane of traffic and weight limits.
During the September closure, cars are advised to use Woburn Street as an alternative. Signs will be in place to guide drivers to the detour, according to the public works website. Bike and pedestrian access will be limited during active construction hours, but the sidewalk will be open on evenings and on the weekends.
The city still plans to rebuild the entire bridge, once funding is secured. That will be a multi-year process to develop a “sustainable and resilient structure that meets the needs of our community for generations to come,” according to the city’s website.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
