Birch Bay Drive & Pedestrian Facility Project

Birch Bay Berm Project Summary Poster

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Project Summary

The Birch Bay Drive & Pedestrian Facility Project a.k.a. "The Berm" was the largest project Whatcom County Public Works has ever done! This completed project restores the natural shoreline, protects the roadway from storm damage, and supports pedestrian safety with a separated berm that runs from the mouth of Terrell Creek (Lora Lane) to Cedar Avenue approximately 1.58 miles in length along the beach. 

Project Details

Status: Construction phase complete. Ongoing maintenance of 110,000 native plantings includes weeding & watering. 

Timeline: Construction began December 9, 2019 and culminated in a celebration & ribbon cutting on Saturday, August 21, 2021.  

Contract: 

  • Contract Amount: $8,724,841.00
  • Contractor: Granite Construction, Inc.
Birch Bay Berm Weeds that Should be Removed
Birch Bay Berm Native plantings reference guide

  1. Reminder: Birch Bay Chamber's Berm Celebration is from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm Saturday, 8/21

    The Birch Bay Drive & Pedestrian Facility Project AKA 'The Berm' is designed to reduce the impacts of coastal flooding, improve pedestrian safety with new sidewalk, and restore beach and marine habitat. More information at this link: Read on...

  2. Birch Bay Drive Construction Largely Complete

    Crews will put up signage, monitor plantings, and demobilize equipment. Thank you for your patience during this project! Please save the date of Saturday, Aug. 21, for a community celebration with the Birch Bay Chamber - follow the Chamber for details!

  3. Birch Bay Drive Construction Update for March 15-19

    Drivers can expect minimal single lane closures from 7am-5pm, Monday-Thursday. Crews will install benches, finish pedestrian path work, and other projects. We want to remind everyone to please avoid damaging the plantings. They are expensive to replace.
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