Pipeline replacement results in road closures, Imhof Road is next

FERNDALE, Wash. — Following the August emergency declaration over widespread deterioration on the Public Utility District No. 1 of Whatcom County (PUD) 24-inch industrial water transmission line along Douglas Road, active pipeline construction is now bringing major traffic restrictions, road closures, and localized detours to the surrounding area west of Ferndale.

Motorists traveling through western Whatcom County face the following traffic restrictions.

• Lampman Road closures: Lampman Road is closed to through traffic east of Haxton Way, with an additional closure to through traffic near Olson Road at the west end. Local access is maintained.
• Imhoff Rd: Closed from Ulrich Road to Douglas Road for approximately one month, starting Wednesday, November 4, 2026, . Drivers should follow the posted detour via Ulrich Road, S Church Road, and Douglas Road. Alternate routes are also available.
• Ulrich Road and S. Church Road closures: Ulrich Road is closed to through traffic between S. Church Road and Imhof Road for multiple weeks, with access preserved for affected property owners. S. Church Road remains closed south of Ulrich Road.
• Unick Road controls: Unick Road features active traffic management. West of Lake Terrell Road, traffic is restricted to a single lane controlled by flaggers during working hours, transitioning to temporary traffic signals after hours. Between Lake Terrell Road and Olson Road, the route remains open, though drivers should anticipate a gravel surface in the westbound lane east of Barr Road.

The emergency work stems from an August 15, 2026 emergency proclamation issued by Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu after PUD field investigations revealed advanced joint failure and leakage on the mid-1960s reinforced concrete cylinder pipeline. Engineers determined the pressurized line—which supplies industrial users and fire-suppression systems in western Whatcom County—could not be repaired without risk of uncontrolled rupture.

The PUD Commission subsequently approved Resolution No. 904 to waive competitive bidding and advance the roughly 5.6-mile high-density polyethylene (HDPE) replacement project.

Whatcom County Public Works continues to coordinate with the PUD on project updates.