Downtown Bellingham alley electric system improvements project

Project updates

2/6/2024: AA Asphalting will return the week of February 12 to finish our hard surface restoration work throughout the project area.
12/15/2023: Electric service for all customers has been cut over to the new underground electric system, and wreck out of the old overhead electric system has been finished. Hard surface restoration for two blocks still needs to be completed, which will happen in 2024 as weather allows.
11/13/2023: Potelco electric crews will be cutting over electric service to the new system in the alley between W Holly St and W Chestnut St the week of December 3; customers will be notified regarding planned power outages
11/1/2023: Potelco electric crews will be cutting over electric service to the new system in the alley between W Magnolia St and W Holly St the week of November 12; customers will be notified regarding planned power outages
10/23/2023: Potelco electric crews will be cutting over electric service to the new system in the alley between W Champion St and W Magnolia St the week of October 30; customers will be notified regarding planned power outages
10/9/2023: Potelco electric crews will be cutting over electric service to the new system in the alley between Flora St and W Champion St the week of October 16; customers will be notified regarding planned power outages
10/6/2023: Potelco electric crews will be cutting over electric service to the new system in the alley between Central Ave and Flora St the week of October 9; customers will be notified regarding planned power outages
10/4/2023: PSE and Power X will begin installation of underground utility vaults in the alley between W Holly St and W Chestnut St on October 11
9/19/2023: AA Asphalting will begin hard surface restoration in the alley between Flora St and W Champion St on September 29
9/13/2023: PSE and Power X will begin installation of underground utility vaults in the alley between W Magnolia St and W Holly St on September 15
8/28/2023: AA Asphalting will begin hard surface restoration in the alley between Central Ave and Flora St on September 11
8/28/2023: Potelco electric crews will start work pulling electric wire at the north end of the project route (at Central Ave), working their way south, beginning on September 5
8/11/2023: PSE and Power X has installed all underground utility vaults in the alley between Flora St and W Champion St and will begin trenching the week of August 14
7/24/2023: PSE and Power X began installation of underground utility vaults in the alley between W Champion St and W Magnolia St
6/19/2023: PSE and Power X began installation of underground conduit and underground utility vaults in the alley between Central Ave and Flora St

Project overview

In an ongoing effort to deliver safe and reliable energy to downtown Bellingham, PSE is converting a section of the existing overhead electric wire to underground and upgrading related electric equipment. This work will help with overall safety as well as preserve the electric reliability. We are also working closely with the City of Bellingham and other local utilities so they are able to complete upgrades to their systems at the same time.

Project details

Who:

Electric crews from PSE and Potelco and site preparation crews from Power X

What:

Converting the existing overhead electric wire to underground and upgrading related electric equipment Work will include the following:

Installation of underground conduit and underground utility vaults (PSE and Power X)
Road surface restoration (PSE and AA Asphalting)
Installation of underground electric wire and related electric equipment (PSE and Potelco)
Removal of existing overhead electric wire and infrastructure (PSE and Potelco)

When:

Work is anticipated to begin on June 19 and is expected to last through December. Below is an estimated schedule for each block:

June: The alley between Central Ave and Flora St
July: The alley between W Champion St and W Magnolia St
August: The alley between Flora St and W Champion St
September: The alley between W Magnolia St and W Holly St
October: The alley between W Holly St and W Chestnut St
- Work hours are typically 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Schedule dates are dependent on receiving final City permits, weather and emergency crew assignments

Where:

The alley between N Commercial St and Unity St, from Central Ave to W Champion St, and the alley between Commercial St and Cornwall Ave from W Champion St to W Chestnut St, Bellingham (please refer to project map above for approximate project route)

What neighboring businesses can expect during construction

There will likely be noise from trucks and heavy machinery
Signs and traffic control flaggers will guide vehicles and pedestrians safely through or around the work zone
Alley and sidewalk access as well as parking will be limited at times during the project. Our crews will do their best to reduce these impacts in and around their work zones. Accesses to businesses will remain open
There will also be partial road closures with detours posted periodically throughout the project. Additional information will be provided prior to any road closures
Some customers will experience a temporary interruption in electric service in the second half of the project. We’ll notify those impacted customers in advance of work requiring a planned power outage and will work closely with businesses to schedule any interruption of service outside of business hours

For more information