Lynden fair, projects along Interstate 5 could cause these delays in Whatcom County

There’s bound to be heavier traffic than usual on Guide Meridian and other roads around Lynden this weekend, as the Northwest Washington Fair continues, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Heading into the work week, long delays are expected with a pavement striping project on Haxton Way scheduled for 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16. Work is planned from Slater Road to Lummi View Drive, according to the Whatcom County Department of Public Works.

For those who are planning a trip across the North Cascades, efforts to repair flood damage from last year mean that Highway 20 will close overnight several times this week.

Work is scheduled where there’s a temporary signal at milepost 113.7 that controls eastbound and westbound traffic where the severe flooding that took place in November 2021 washed out the road.

That’s where repair work will close Highway 20 nightly from 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, through Friday, Aug. 19, and again from 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, and Tuesday, Aug. 23. Regular travel will not be permitted but there will be emergency vehicle access through the work zone.

In addition, overnight work in several places around Whatcom County, including Interstate 5, could cause delays:

▪ Northbound and southbound traffic on Highway 9 from the roundabout at the Mount Baker Highway in Nugents Corner to the U.S.-Canada border in Sumas will alternate for crack seal and pavement repair from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16.

▪ Eastbound and westbound traffic on East Badger Road east of Northwood Road will alternate through a single lane between midnight and 6 a.m. the week starting Monday, Aug. 15, for work on the Kamm Ditch fish passage project.

▪ A single lane of southbound I-5 at the Samish River Bridge just south of the Bow weigh station will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, through Wednesday, Aug. 17, for work on the Samish River Bridge deck overlay project.

▪ The right lane of northbound I-5 at Exit 254 Iowa/State streets and the on-ramp to northbound I-5 at Iowa will be closed for paving from 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15.

▪ The southbound I-5 on-ramp at Chuckanut Drive/Old Fairhaven Parkway and the left lane of southbound I-5 at milepost 250 will be closed for work on the Padden Creek fish passage project from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15.

▪ The left lane of northbound I-5 at Exit 254 Iowa/State streets and the on-ramp to northbound I-5 at Iowa will be closed for paving from 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16.

▪ The right lane of southbound I-5 at Northwest Avenue and the on-ramp to southbound I-5 at Northwest will be closed for paving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Wednesday, Aug. 17.

▪ The right lane of northbound I-5, exit 256A to northbound Meridian Street and Exit 256B to Bellis Fair Mall Parkway will be closed for paving from 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, to 5 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19.

Continuing projects

▪ Marine Drive work continues north of Bellingham with lane closure delays of up to 20 minutes between Alderwood and Locust avenues for the next several weeks. Detour signs are in place.

▪ Mosquito Lake Road will be closed 2.4 miles east of Valley Highway at Acme through early September to replace a culvert to allow easier fish passage. A signed detour will use the Mount Baker Highway and the Valley Highway.

▪ Expect delays through summer on the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) between Sedro-Woolley and Newhalem as flood-damage repairs continue.

▪ WSDOT crews will be working on I-5 during weekends all summer long in Seattle.

Work to replace bumpy expansion joints on southbound I-5 will continue through the end of September.

▪ If you’re heading to Canada, officials urge travelers to check border wait times. Early morning hours have less congestion. Travelers should have their ArriveCAN receipt; passport or travel documents, proof of vaccination; and identification for everyone in the vehicle