$66 Million Federal Grant Awarded for Blaine Overpass Construction
By Staff on October 31, 2026 10:50am
BLAINE, Wash. — The City of Blaine has received a significant boost towards its transportation infrastructure with a $66.4 million federal grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to construct a railroad overpass at Bell Road.
The intersection of Bell Road (SR548) and Peace Portal Drive experiences high traffic volumes, and the presence of BNSF and Amtrak trains further complicates matters. This has led to years of planning and funding efforts towards alleviating the congestion.
Project Scope
The project, as yet finalized, is expected to include:
- Building a dedicated multiuse path parallel to Bell Road.
- Constructing an overpass over the railroad tracks.
- Reconfiguring roads passing through the intersection.
- Realigning ramps to/from I-5.
- Replacing the nearby Bell Road (SR548) bridge over Dakota Creek.
This funding allocation, through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program, is a significant step forward following the city's multi-year planning process. The City of Blaine will contribute 20% of the total cost, potentially including funding from BNSF.
Project Timeline
Design and permitting phases are projected to extend through 2027, with construction timelines yet to be finalized.
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