Merchants discuss downtown signage

By Jack Kintner

Blaine’s downtown merchants met last week with city officials to discuss how to get freeway traffic that will be detoured through Blaine by construction projects to stick around and spend some money.

Program coordinator Debbie Harger said the goal of the meetings is to find ways to alert motorists that they can drive through downtown, using the ramp at exit 274 to get back on the freeway, when the Washington State Department of Transportation begins a detour near the border in March.

Southbound traffic will exit the freeway on the current southbound off ramp that brings traffic into Blaine but will be directed back on to the freeway a few hundred feet farther south onto the regular southbound on ramp at the intersection of Marine Drive and Peace Portal Drive.

“We’re looking at alternatives and talking about them now, so we’re ready,” said Harger.

Some suggestions included a sign directly in front of drivers as they exit the freeway that would include a simple map, as well as signs on the sides of buildings or on signs welcoming people to Blaine. For more information, call 332-8311.