Whatcom County Public Works offices are closed today, Friday July 4, in observance of Independence Day. All offices will reopen on Monday, July 6. The closure covers the department's full range of services, including road and bridge maintenance, stormwater, and solid waste administration.
The Whatcom County Public Works department maintains over 1,100 miles of county roads and dozens of bridges throughout unincorporated Whatcom County. During holiday closures, non-emergency maintenance requests -- potholes, signage questions, drainage concerns -- are held until staff return. Residents with routine service needs should plan to contact the department on Monday.
One exception applies to road safety emergencies. If you encounter a missing stop sign, a downed tree blocking a roadway, or any other condition that poses an immediate risk to drivers, call 911 to report it. Emergency dispatch can coordinate with county road crews for urgent public safety situations even during holiday closures. The public works department's reminder this year specifically called out missing stop signs as an example -- a sign that has been struck, stolen, or knocked down is a genuine safety hazard that warrants an emergency call.
Ferry riders heading to or from Lummi Island should be aware that the Whatcom Chief is operating on a holiday schedule today. The Whatcom Chief is the county-operated ferry that connects Lummi Island to the mainland at Gooseberry Point, providing the only practical link for island residents to the broader Whatcom County road network. Holiday schedules typically differ from the regular weekday or weekend schedule, so if you are planning a trip today, check the current schedule before heading to the dock. The ferry schedule can be found through Whatcom County's website.
Lummi Island is home to roughly 900 permanent residents and sees increased visitor traffic during summer weekends and holidays. The Whatcom Chief runs throughout the day on short crossings of about five minutes each way, but the holiday schedule may mean reduced frequency or adjusted first and last departure times. Arriving at Gooseberry Point without checking the schedule can mean a significant wait.
Normal operations across all Whatcom County departments resume Monday, July 6. For more on what is open and closed across the county this holiday weekend, the July 1 county briefing has a full overview.
