Second Avenue Extension Project

The project will improve access to the Portal Way I-5 ramps, primarily for the purpose of diverting a significant number of vehicles from Main Street.  The project received $1,510,000 of federal economic stimulus money that is supplemented from a number of other sources to finance design and construction.

This improvement project will improve Second Avenue between Washington and Eaton Streets with new curbs and sidewalks, and then continue north with a new street through the former Simplot properties where Boundary Bay has proposed a new facility.  The new street will then curve east towards Portal Way and connect to the proposed Thornton extension and southbound I-5 off ramps with a roundabout.  The Ferndale City Council voted 6-0 during their meeting on Monday, August 3, 2009, to award the contract to RAM Construction General Contractors of Bellingham for their base bid, and alternates A1 and A3, price of $4,441,656.83.  Construction began in September 2009, and the project is expected to be completed by fall 2010.  A map of the planned improvements can be viewed here.

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact the Public Works Department via email or by telephone at (360) 384-4006.

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"Transportation projects DO create jobs..."

February 16, 2009  The Second Avenue Extension Project is well underway, thanks in part to 1.51 million dollars in Federal ARRA Recovery funds awarded to the City of Ferndale in 2009 for its construction.  United States Representative Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District) recently visited Ferndale to meet with City officials and visit the site as part of his tour of ARRA funded projects, where he learned more about how the recovery dollars were being put to work in Ferndale.  For more on Representative Larsen's visit, view a recent Bellingham Herald article.

Transportation projects DO create jobs!  Reports indicate this project has saved, created or supported 84 jobs, representing over $400,000.00 in wages paid to employees working on the $4.1 million project since September 2009.  And, it is anticipated that once completed, the improvements will provide ongoing economic benefit to residents and businesses by improving access to Ferndale. 

For more information on the Second Avenue Extension Project, please view the ARRA Flyer.