BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Approval for a bridge project near Chuckanut Bay has residents breathing a sigh of relief.

Bellingham City Councilmembers voted earlier this week to approve a Transportation Improvement Plan, which covers various projects scheduled between 2026 and 2031.

That includes funds to replace the Chuckanut Creek Bridge, which had been washed out in the November 2021 floods.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that the city installed a temporary bridge in its place. Later, over a dozen area residents were informed that the city planned to purchase their properties in lieu of rebuilding the bridge.

The newly approved Transportation Improvement Plan includes funding from FEMA and the city’s street funds to cover the $5.1 million cost of the bridge replacement.

Preliminary funding data shows that the new bridge could be completed by 2028.