Blaine Overpass: $66.4M Federal Grant Secured

Traffic congestion at a busy rail crossing in south Blaine, Washington, will soon be addressed by a $66.4 million federal grant. US Representative Rick Larsen announced the funding on Friday. The money comes from the Federal Railroad Administration and targets the intersection of Bell Road and Peace Portal Drive. This location currently forces drivers to wait for BNSF and Amtrak trains to pass, creating regular bottlenecks on SR548.

The project aims to eliminate the grade crossing by constructing a dedicated overpass above the railroad tracks. The plan also includes building a multiuse path parallel to Bell Road. City officials will reconfigure the roads that feed into the intersection and realign the ramps connecting to Interstate 5. A nearby bridge over Dakota Creek will also be replaced as part of the infrastructure overhaul.

The award was made through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. This marks a major step forward after the city initiated a multi-year planning process. The US Department of Transportation states that the City of Blaine must provide 20% of the total project cost. The city may seek to cover this match with funds from BNSF.

The project design is not yet finalized. Engineering and permitting work is scheduled to continue through 2027. Construction timelines have not been set. The city website lists the current scope of work, but final details depend on the upcoming design phases.