Retaining wall construction to trigger three-week closure on James Street in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Bellingham Public Works Department announced that a section of James Street will be completely closed to all vehicle traffic beginning Monday, June 8, 2026. The closure will affect the corridor between E Bakerview Road and E Kellogg Road and is projected to last for approximately 3 weeks while heavy construction operations are executed.

The road shutdown is required to ensure public safety while crews construct a structural retaining wall along a shared use trail. The retaining wall is a component of the city’s active multi-modal expansion project, which will provide a protected shared-use pedestrian and bicycle trail running along the roadway.

Local detours will be signed ahead of the Monday morning rush hour. Motorists traveling through the area are advised to expect delays and to use other north-south arterials, such as Deemer Road and Meridian Street.