City of Bellingham – Bay to Baker Trail

As prime consultant, KPFF led the design and permitting for a 7,200-foot-long section of trail across multiple roadways and under I-5 near downtown Bellingham. The design started with preliminary engineering workshops to study potential trail alignments with overhead, under, and at-grade roadway crossings. The trail alignments were also coordinated with multiple separate ongoing projects including the relocation of Squalicum Creek (Phases 1 and 2), a new bridge at James Street Road, a flood control berm, and a new arterial roadway. The trail, roadway, and creek all needed to fit within a narrow existing opening under an existing I-5 bridge without compromising existing drainage patterns in an area prone to flooding. A preferred alternative was developed to limit grading, flooding of the trail, wetland impacts, and future maintenance needs for the trail. The project included flood protection measures, design of four fish passable culverts/bridges, and design of stormwater mitigation adjacent to the Squalicum Creek floodplain. The team also successfully led the permitting effort.