Whatcom County Public Works offices observed Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, closing for the federal and state holiday and directing any public works-related emergencies to 9-1-1. Offices reopened on Monday, June 22 for regular in-person services.
Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865. It became a federal holiday in 2021 and is observed by Washington State government agencies. Whatcom County participates in the observance across departments, including Public Works, which handles roads, bridges, stormwater, and related infrastructure.
For residents who needed to report non-emergency issues during the closure, the department noted that emergencies such as missing stop signs should be directed to 9-1-1 rather than waiting for offices to reopen. The Whatcom County road closure page remains updated online even during office closures and is a useful resource for checking active restrictions before heading out.
Public Works offices are back in full operation this week. Residents can reach the department for routine service requests, permit questions, and infrastructure reports starting Monday, June 22 during regular business hours. For road condition emergencies or hazards around the county, the Whatcom County Flood Response Call Center at (360) 788-5303 handles non-emergency infrastructure reports.
If you noticed any road hazards, missing signage, or infrastructure concerns over the weekend, now is the time to get them on record. You can report non-emergency issues to City of Bellingham Public Works for city-maintained roads or contact Whatcom County directly for county roads. Knowing the difference between city and county road jurisdiction can save time when reporting an issue.
