Federal grant covers $66.4 million for Blaine overpass

Drivers in south Blaine will soon see work begin on the Bell Road and Peace Portal Drive intersection, with the Federal Railroad Administration allocating $66.4 million to the project. The funding supports the construction of a railroad overpass to separate highway traffic from BNSF and Amtrak trains.

The city initiated the multi-year planning process for the site after traffic congestion at the crossing became a persistent issue. Government sources have provided funding in recent years to address the bottleneck where SR548 intersects with rail lines.

US Representative Rick Larsen announced the award on October 31, 2026. The money comes from the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. The project description from the US Department of Transportation specifies that the city must cover 20% of the total project cost, which may include contributions from BNSF.

According to the City of Blaine website, the final design will include a dedicated multiuse path parallel to Bell Road. The plan calls for reconfiguring roads through the intersection and realigning the on and off ramps to Interstate 5. The project also involves replacing the Bell Road bridge over Dakota Creek.

Design and permitting phases are scheduled to continue through 2027. Construction timelines have not been finalized.