UPDATES TO THIS STORY CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE
Yesterday’s I-5 northbound backup between Ferndale and Bellingham was on for the record books as many found the typical ten minute commute stretched to much longer. The cause was tracked down to a single lane closure just north of the Ferndale’s Main Street interchange.
Today, a lane closure in the same location is already in place and is scheduled to be in effect through the evening. Roadwork to resurface interchange ramps and northbound lanes of I-5 between Ferndale and Blaine is the reason for the lane closure. This project, which has been underway for several weeks, is scheduled to continue until September.
Up until yesterday, lane closures were limited to the hours of 7pm to 11am while crews were working. But milling of the Portal Way overpass exposed portions of the bridge that required slower speeds. Increased signage was not causing drivers to reduce their speed for safely crossing the bridge so WSDOT required the contractor to close a lane.
Click for more information
Click for more information![005vc26269[1]](https://i0.wp.com/whatcom-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/005vc262691.jpg?resize=335%2C272&ssl=1)
Today, a lane closure is already in place in the same location. Assuming similar traffic volumes to yesterday’s evening commute, the project contractor told Discover Ferndale it is quite possible another backup could occur similar to yesterday’s.
Commuters should consider leaving a little earlier or later if possible and take alternate routes from Bellingham to Ferndale. You can monitor traffic conditions real-time on the Discover Ferndale traffic page.