INSIDE
Coming home?

For drivers headed to Canada ath mainland crossing, the wait at the border may not be over, but at least they’ll know how long it’s going to be.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will install 10 new cameras and traffic detecting equipment at Blaine, Lynden and Sumas, three of Whatcom County’s four busy border crossings. The new equipment will allow WSDOT to broadcast more border information and wait times on roadside signs, radios and the web, taking the guesswork out of choosing the quickest border crossing.

WSDOT awarded the $2 million project contract to Valley Electric Co. of Mount Vernon to install the cameras, data loops and a highway advisory radio. Valley Electric’s bid was $51,000 less than the engineers’ estimate.

Crews will finish construction in September. Most of the work will be along highway shoulders and not in the driving lanes. There will be a few daytime lane closures and nighttime ramp closures. Drivers should expect relatively minimal delays during construction.

New cameras will be turned on along:
* I-5 at Peace Arch
* I-5 at D Street (2 cameras)
* I-5 at Mitchell Avenue
* I-5 at Odell Road
* I-5 south of Odell Road
* I-5 at Loomis Trail Road
* SR 539 at Badger Road (SR 546)
* SR 539 at border
* SR 9 at Front Street