Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) has started running an emergency detour for Route 75B around the Dakota Creek bridge after it discovered the bus exceeded the bridge’s weight limit.
The change, which started November 11, shifted bus arrival times, with some buses stopping up to about 10 minutes earlier than normal. Route 75B runs from Bellingham to Birch Bay and Blaine on weekdays and Saturdays.
WTA planning director Tim Wilder said the bridge has a weight limit of 15 tons, and WTA buses are 15 tons without passengers or fuel. The detour around the bridge takes about eight minutes. WTA took away time from some stops and added time to other stops.
“These changes are due to operational constraints we have,” Wilder said. “Hopefully we can minimize the impact to most people who ride the bus up to Blaine and Birch Bay.”
