The Blaine City Council held a public hearing on the city’s 2027-2032 Transportation Improvement Program, a six-year road map for projects that includes a proposed $105 million overpass at the Bell Road railroad crossing, storm-damage repairs on Yew Avenue and a series of pedestrian and roadway improvements.
The Bell Road-BNSF Railway Grade Separation Project remains the largest and most ambitious project in the plan. The proposal would replace the existing railroad crossing at Bell Road and Peace Portal Drive with an overpass, separating vehicle traffic from rail traffic and improving connections between Blaine, Interstate 5 and surrounding areas.
The project is currently estimated at $105 million and includes replacement of the Dakota Creek Bridge. Design work began in 2025, and construction is anticipated to be completed in 2033.
The city has secured $9.5 million through a federal grant and $2.2 million from the Washington State Department of Transportation for preliminary engineering, permitting and right-of-way acquisition.
The Bell Road crossing sits at one of Blaine’s most important transportation choke points.
Bell Road serves as a key connection between Interstate 5, the city, the Peace Arch border crossing and nearby industrial areas. At the same time, the BNSF rail corridor carries freight and passenger rail traffic through the city.
When trains occupy the crossing, traffic can back up in multiple directions, delaying commuters, commercial vehicles, visitors and emergency responders.
The proposed overpass would eliminate those conflicts by separating vehicle traffic from rail traffic entirely.
The project is intended to improve safety, reduce congestion and strengthen connections between Blaine, I-5 and surrounding areas, according to city planning documents.
The project also would include replacing the Dakota Creek Bridge, which city officials say will need to be reconstructed because of its proximity to the proposed roadway alignment and its current condition.
While the Bell Road overpass is the largest project in the transportation plan, several other projects are expected to move forward sooner.
Among them is the Yew Avenue Emergency Culvert Replacement, which addresses damage caused by a major storm in November 2021. A section of roadway about 2,000 feet south of Pipeline Road was structurally compromised, forcing closure of part of the road, according to city documents. A nearby storm culvert also was damaged.
The project is estimated to cost $1.5 million. Design work began in 2024, and construction is expected to be completed in 2027. FEMA has already provided funding for engineering and design services, and the city anticipates seeking additional federal assistance for construction.
Additional projects
The transportation plan also includes the city’s ongoing ADA Transition Plan, which inventories sidewalks, crossings and public facilities to identify and address barriers for people with disabilities. The city has budgeted $50,000 annually for the effort.
Also scheduled during the planning period is phase 3 of the Peace Portal Community Trail. The project will extend the existing trail from Hughes Avenue to Bell Road, creating a continuous non-motorized route and improving pedestrian connectivity. Construction is anticipated in 2027.
Additional projects include improvements to D Street between 14th and Jerome streets (where it turns into E Street), a citywide pavement preservation program and ongoing traffic and pedestrian safety improvements.
State law requires cities to update and adopt transportation improvement programs annually. The plans identify projects proposed for construction, preservation and maintenance over the next six years and help local governments compete for state and federal transportation funding.
