Mathes Hall renovation to temporarily impact High Street

The renovation of Mathes Hall on the Western Washington University campus includes the installation of a new fire protection system. As part of that protection system, a new fire (water) line will be connected to an existing city water line on High Street.

The new fire line will cross High Street and connect into the existing line, which runs parallel to the street. The work will be done in two phases. Next week (intersession) will involve the east half of High Street. The east lane on High Street will be closed while the contractor, Regency NW, cuts the street asphalt and then excavates and connects the line. Bus lines won’t be affected, but the sidewalk on the east side of High Street will be closed. Open trench excavation in the roadway will be covered with steel plates during off hours for normal two-lane traffic flow.

The west half will be done later this month, depending on the time required to excavate.

The work is scheduled as follows:

• June 12: Saw-cut east half of High Street asphalt
• June 13: Excavate east half of High Street at new fire line crossing
• June 14: City of Bellingham waterline crews make connection into waterline main on east side of High Street

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Dale Krause, the construction project coordinator, at (360) 650-4646 or dale.krause@wwu.edu.

Visit the WWU campus map for info on this and other construction projects happening throughout the busy summer construction season.