Marine Drive Reconstruction

Vicinity Map

Marine Drive vicinity map cropped

Project Description

The Marine Drive Reconstruction Project widened the existing roadway to add pedestrian and bicycle facilities on Marine Drive between Locust Avenue and Alderwood Avenue.

The goals of this multi-modal improvement project were:

  • To widen, reconstruct, and resurface the Marine Drive roadway corridor.
  • Add concrete curb/gutter and sidewalks on both sides of the roadway.
  • Add five-foot width bicycle lanes adjacent to travel lanes.
  • Add a pedestrian push-button crosswalk, also called an actuated crosswalk, in the vicinity of the Port of Bellingham's Marine Drive trail system and parking lot.
  • To improve safety by increasing the unobstructed areas adjacent to the roadway, also known as the clear zone. This included relocating above-ground utilities and poles, and replacing existing roadside ditches with a tight-line stormwater conveyance system.
  • To improve stormwater management for the roadway corridor.

Project Timeline

  • November 2022 construction phase is substantially complete. Ongoing grass/lawn restoration.
  • October 2022 minor landscape restoration thru the month
  • September 2022 construction is complete; landscape restoration continues
  • June 2022 construction scheduled to be completed.
  • March 2022 resumed from winter suspension. 
  • November 2021 construction work suspended for winter. 
  • October 2021 construction started with installation of underground stormwater detention vault at intersection of Marine Drive and McAlpine Road. 
  • Construction contract advertisement for bids, and contract procurement process.
  • May 2021 – Additional $1,000,000 in FHWA grant funds awarded, for a total of $2,500,000 in Federal grant funds.
  • April 2021 – Final Plans, Specifications, and Estimate contract package delivered by consulting engineer.
  • September 2020 - Consulting engineer submitted 90% project design documents. 
  • June 2020 - Consulting engineer submitted 60% fundamental project design documents. 
  • March 2020 - Consulting engineer submitted 30% conceptual project design documents.
  • November 2019 - Consulting engineer selection completed and preliminary design underway, focusing on: storm drainage management studies; conceptual roadway, bicycle and pedestrian improvement layouts; and determining utility relocation needs. 
  • August 2019 - Secured $1,500,000 in FHWA Surface Transportation Block Grant funds for construction.
  • June 2017 - Field survey completed.

  1. Marine Drive construction resumes March 3 - Drivers should expect delays and single lane closures

    Construction will resume March 3 for Marine Drive improvements that include widening the road, bike lanes, and stormwater infrastructure. Drivers should plan for single-lane closures and minor delays once construction starts again. Read on...
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