The city of Blaine’s Downtown Revitalization Project is ahead of schedule as crews prepare to start phase two of the four-part project in late August. While businesses will remain open, phase two will close vehicle traffic to one block of Peace Portal Drive, from H to G streets.
The second leg of the main thoroughfare project is expected to start Monday, August 25, weather permitting, instead of mid-September as previously planned, said Blaine Public Works Director Harpiar Gandhi. Phase one, which closed Peace Portal Drive from H to Boblett streets, will likely reopen Tuesday, August 26.
Gandhi said the project is ahead of schedule because the city and its contractor, Premier Construction Services, planned conservatively in case there was inclement weather or other delays.
Pedestrians will be directed to use back entrances for businesses from Drayton Harbor Oyster Company to Black Forest Steakhouse, and crews will try to provide accommodation for businesses that can only be accessed by their front doors, Gandhi said.
The project started on July 14 and will be fully completed by December, with the last phase involving improvements at the roundabout at Peace Portal Drive and Marine Drive, Gandhi said. Each project phase will remove and replace trees buckling the sidewalk, replace the sidewalk, install pedestrian rails and include electrical work as well as crosswalk repainting.
Construction is expected to last two months per phase, but Gandhi said it was too soon to say when phase three would start.
Gandhi said the city is trying to be proactive about impacting businesses and their customers as little as possible.
“Businesses are open,” Gandhi said. “We’re there to help them out if they need anything.”
