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Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

BEL-CON-PWN-2026-02-23 February 23, 2026 Public Works Committee City of Bellingham 30 min
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The Bellingham Public Works and Natural Resources Committee convened for a brief but productive 30-minute session, approving three significant infrastructure agreements totaling over $14 million in combined project value. The committee unanimously endorsed accepting two major Washington State Department of Transportation grants and authorized an interlocal water supply agreement with Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. The session's marquee item was acceptance of an $11.46 million WSDOT grant for Electric Avenue Bridge reconstruction, representing the largest single infrastructure investment discussed. This project will completely replace the aging bridge that required emergency repairs in 2024, incorporating bike and pedestrian facilities while addressing forward compatibility for future transportation needs. The project carries a 13.5% local match requirement of approximately $1.4 million due to tight federal deadlines. The committee also approved a $2.315 million grant for the Samish Way and Maple Street overlay project, which requires no local match and represents 100% grant funding. This pavement resurfacing and lighting improvement project will coordinate with existing multimodal improvements already in the pipeline for the challenging Samish-Maple intersection where vehicles have previously crashed into residential property. The final item authorized a $250,000 interlocal agreement to provide temporary water supply to Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District during maintenance and construction of their water reservoir system. The arrangement leverages existing infrastructure that was recently upgraded with new metering and backflow prevention systems.

**AB 24837 - Samish Way and Maple Street Overlay Project Grant:** Passed 3-0. Authorizes mayor to sign local agency agreement with WSDOT for $2.315 million grant. 100% grant funding, no local match required. Project includes pavement overlay and lighting upgrades between Bill McDonald Parkway and Ellis Street, with design in 2026 and construction in 2027. **AB 24838 - Electric Avenue Bridge Reconstruction Grant:** Passed 3-0. Authorizes mayor to sign local agency agreement with WSDOT for $11.46 million grant. Total project cost approximately $11.8 million with $1.4 mi…

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**Bridge Infrastructure Modernization:** The Electric Avenue Bridge reconstruction represents a significant policy shift toward incorporating multimodal transportation features into aging infrastructure replacement. Staff emphasized "forward compatibility" design that will accommodate anticipated bike and pedestrian facilities, moving beyond simple vehicle-focused replacement. The project addresses both immediate safety concerns from the 2024 emergency repairs and long-term transportation policy goals. However, the extended construction timeline and full bridge closure for potentially 4-18 months raises significant access and circulation questions that remain unresolved pending detailed engineering analysis. **Regional Infrastructure Coordination:** The Samish Way overlay project demonstrates effective coordination between multiple in…
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**Council Member Lisa Anderson** strongly supported both grant acceptances, particularly noting Electric Avenue Bridge's importance to neighborhood safety and summer recreation access. She raised specific concerns about intersection safety timing and infrastructure reliability for the water district agreement, demonstrating detailed local knowledge of both projects' contexts. **Chair Michael Lilliquist** expressed pragmatic concern about safety features potentially affecting recreational bridge jumping at Electric Avenue Bridge, acknowledging the tension between safety requirements and community use patterns. He sought clarification on federal deadline penalties a…
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**Lisa Anderson, on Electric Avenue Bridge grant:** "Electric bridge has always been an issue for the neighborhood in that area because of the lack of bike and pedestrian walkway. We used to get a lot of emails from neighbors in that area, especially during the summertime with people heading across the bridge to head to the park." **Michael Lilliquist, on bridge safety features:** "People like to walk out on that bridge now and jump into the water. I know when we did the commercial street bri…
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**Samish Way Overlay Project:** Design phase begins in 2026 following hire of engineering consultant. Separate sewer work will precede overlay construction. Multimodal intersection improvements at Samish-Maple corner will be coordinated to occur before overlay work. Construction scheduled for 2027. **Electric Avenue Bridge Reconstruction:** Engineering consultant hiring to begin immediately. Design phase 2026-2027 with extensive permitting required due to Lake …

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**Grant Funding Secured:** City now has $13.775 million in confirmed WSDOT grant funding for two major infrastructure projects, representing significant federal investment in local transportation infrastructure. **Local Match Obligation:** City committed to approximately $1.4 million local match for Electric Avenue Bridge due to federal deadline constraints, shifting from potential 100% grant to 86.5% grant funding. **Intergovernmental Service Authorization:** City authorized to provide temporary commercia…
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## Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council's Public Works and Natural Resources Committee convened on Monday afternoon, February 23rd, 2026, in City Hall's Council Chambers. Committee Chair Michael Lilliquist presided over the session, joined by committee members Lisa Anderson (Fifth Ward) and Jace Cotton (At-Large). Council President Stone opened the meeting before turning control to Lilliquist for the committee proceedings. The afternoon's agenda focused on transportation infrastructure investments, with two significant state grant acceptances totaling over $13 million and a smaller interlocal water supply agreement. All three items represented partnerships with other government entities — the Washington State Department of Transportation for the grant programs and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District for temporary water service. The meeting maintained a businesslike pace, with committee members asking practical questions about project timelines, local impacts, and technical details before unanimously approving all three proposals. ## Samish Way and Maple Street Overlay Project Grant The committee opened with consideration of a $2.315 million grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation for the Samish Way and Maple Street Overlay Project. Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Public Works over Engineering, presented the proposal, explaining that the grant comes from the National Highway System Asset Management Grant Program and requires a local agency agreement with WSDOT. "The amount of the grant of $2,315,000 matches the estimated project cost. It's 100% grant, no local match required as part of this program," Wilson told the committee. The project will include pavement resurfacing and street lighting improvements along the corridor between Bill McDonald Parkway and Ellis Street, with design work planned for 2026 and the overlay scheduled for 2027. Wilson noted that a separate sewe…
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### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham's Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met on February 23, 2026, to consider three grant-funded infrastructure projects. The committee unanimously recommended approval of two major WSDOT grants totaling over $13.7 million for road and bridge improvements, plus a water supply agreement with Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Local Agency Agreement:** A formal contract between a local government and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) that allows the local agency to receive and manage state transportation grant funding. Required by WSDOT for all grant-funded projects to ensure proper oversight and compliance. **Grant Obligation:** The process by which grant funds are formally committed or "locked in" for specific phases of a project. WSDOT typically gives 18 months from award to construction obligation, but the Electric Avenue Bridge grant had only 11 months, creating timing challenges. **Forward Compatibility:** Planning infrastructure to accommodate future improvements or connections. The Electric Avenue Bridge will be designed to work with anticipated bike and pedestrian facilities that may be built in the area later. **Interlocal Agreement:** A formal agreement between two government agencies to share services, resources, or coordinate activities. Used here for the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District to purchase temporary water supply from Bellingham. **WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation):** The state agency responsible for highways, bridges, and transportation funding programs. Provides grants to local governments for transportation infrastructure projects. **National Highway System Asset Management Grant Program:** A federal/state funding program focused on maintaining and improving roads that are part of the national highway system. Typically provides 100% funding with no local match required. **Local Bridge Program:** A WSDOT grant program specifically for replacing or rehabilitating locally-owned bridges. Often requires some local matching funds, unlike highway programs. **Intertie:** A physical connection between two water systems that allows water to flow from one system to another. Bellingham has an existing intertie with Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District for emergency situations. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Michael Lilliquist | Committee Chair, Bellingham City Co…
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Government Operations AB 24837 AB 24838 AB 24842 City Bellingham Lake Whatcom Water Sewer District Washington State Department Transportation Wsdot Jace Cotton Lisa Anderson Michael Lilliquist Mike Olinger Mike Wilson Agreement Bike Bike Pedestrian Infrastructure Bridge Construction Design Electric Avenue Bridge Federal Grants Grant Infrastructure Lighting Overlay Pedestrian Project Safety Samish Way Overlay Sewer Water Water Supply Agreements