BLAINE, Wash. – The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $9.5 million grant to the City of Blaine on Wednesday, June 28th.

The funds will be used for the upcoming Bell Road-BNSF Railway Grade Separation Project.

The city plans to replace the existing at-grade crossing with a new roadway and railway overpass.

Part of the plans include the construction of a dedicated multiuse path parallel to Bell Road in addition to transit, flooding and aquatic habitat improvements within the project boundaries.

The project looks to improve safety and accessibility and reduce congestion at the Bell Road-BNSF intersection.