Construction is underway on a major environmental cleanup project which will transform the landscape of Bellingham’s city center waterfront.
The Port has awarded local contractor RAM Construction with a $2 million contract to regrade over 20 acres of the former pulp and tissue mill property and import new fill material to prevent contact with contaminated soils below. When the project is finished later this summer, most of the downtown waterfront will have a more visually appealing uniform crushed rock surface and be ready for the planned development of parks, infrastructure and buildings.
“This is a major milestone in the environmental cleanup of the Waterfront District” said Brian Gouran, Port of Bellingham Director of Environmental Programs. “The GP West Capping Project will result in a dramatic visual change to the landscape of the downtown waterfront and allow the site to eventually be opened up for public access and interim uses.”
The Port is performing the GP West Capping Project under oversight by the Department of Ecology. The project is being paid for by a combination of state cleanup grants and the Port’s pre-paid environmental insurance policy.