Public Works

Work is scheduled to begin tomorrow today, Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at the intersection of First Avenue and Main Street, Ferndale.  Work is being done as part of the City’s First Avenue Pedestrian project.  This pedestrian safety project will include reconfiguration of the intersection to eliminate the crosswalk on Main Street east of First Avenue, removal of the traffic signal poles and cabinet, plus new striping at the intersection.  Crews from Sail Electric, Inc. are scheduled to remove the signal poles Tuesday morning, starting at approximately 8am.  The Ferndale Police Department will be on hand to stop traffic as necessary so the overhead cross arms can be removed safely.  Drivers are encouraged to drive with care and caution or utilize alternate routes during this tomorrow’s work.  After the initial signal pole removal, the contractor will shift traffic around the work zone, and no lane closures are currently expected. 

It’s estimated that the project will have a duration of up to three weeks.  The Contractor will be utilizing a 4-10 schedule and plans to work between the hours of 7am to 4:30pm Monday through Thursday.

Puget Sound Energy will supply and install a new pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk beacon later at this intersection once the equipment is ready for installation.  The City will provide additional information regarding the schedule for this work when it becomes available.

For more information on this project, please go to our website at https://www.cityofferndale.org/public-works-department/capital-projects/firstavepedestrianproject/ or contact the Public Works Department at (360) 384-4006.

Ferndale partners with the Whatcom County Public Works Department for paint striping.  Due to the unforeseen and sudden change in today’s weather, some of the work started this morning was adversely affected.  Crews suspended painting activities and have taken necessary steps to perform containment and cleanup actions where paint lines were not yet cured and were impacted by the rain.  Those streets include Main Street, Douglas Road, Hendrickson Avenue and Ferndale Road. 

If you notice paint on your vehicle, the City recommends washing it off as soon as possible.   The paint used is water based and any tracked paint can be cleaned off vehicles using a standard automotive soap and water. 

County crews were scheduled to restripe City streets today and tomorrow, but has been called off due to an unexpected rain event.  Striping work may continue tomorrow as planned, but is weather dependent.  Please feel free to contact Ferndale Public Works for additional information at (360) 384-4006.

Whatcom County Public Works will be striping streets in the City of Ferndale on Friday, Aug. 23rd and Saturday, Aug. 24th. Every year Whatcom County re-stripes over 1,300 lane miles of roadway. This fresh coat of reflective paint enables drivers to more clearly see their lane of travel during dark or rainy conditions.

Click here for Whatcom County’s FAQ about striping.

During a recent inspection of the Nooksack River levee that protects our town, Public Works staff identified locations that had been eroded by the river. In partnership with the federal and state permitting agencies and with traffic control support from Ferndale Public Works, the United States Army Corps of Engineers repaired and strengthened the eroded section of the levee structure.

The work, conducted in late June and early July, added almost 1,000 cubic yards of rock, stone and topsoil to the levee, restoring the barrier’s ability to repel the highest flood waters. This section of the levee protects the water and wastewater treatment facility that provides Ferndale’s drinking water, as well as the historic Pioneer Park, our downtown core and the Whatcom County Public Utilities District.

“The levee performs the vital function of protecting our community and it is our responsibility to maintain the levee structure,” said Public Works Supervisor Bo Westford.