The City of Bellingham is proposing a three‑year effort to update speed limits on streets across the city. This update uses a new, context‑based approach that follows federal guidance and supports the City’s transportation safety goals. The changes are part of the Safe Systems Approach and help advance policies in the Bellingham Plan by improving safety, consistency, and reducing the risk of serious injuries.
The proposed changes include lowering speed limits by 5–10 mph on select arterial streets around the city. It also sets a 20 mph default speed limit on all non‑arterial streets unless otherwise posted. This change primarily impacts the downtown buisness district and smaller residential streets that provide direct access to peoples homes. These updates apply to more than 500 lane miles and require close coordination across Public Works, partner agencies, and the community.
The City proposes to roll out the changes in three phases from 2026 to 2028. Each phase includes updated signs, public outreach and education, and targeted enforcement as resources allow. Public Works will lead the work, including sign planning and installation, GIS updates, and coordination between local and regional agencies. A strong outreach and engagement effort will help prepare residents, reinforce safety expectations, and support safe driving behavior.
Project Status – Spring 2026
The City Council approved the project on May 18, 2026.
Timeline
Phase 1: Gateway Signage and Downtown (Summer 2026)
- Install 50 gateway signs establishing the new 20 mph default speed limit.
- Post 20 mph limits on all arterials entering downtown.
- Launch awareness campaigns to ensure residents understand 1) that speed limits are changing and 2) why it’s happening.
Phase 2: Principal Arterials (Summer 2027)
- Replace and add speed limit signs on approximately 90 miles of principal arterials to align with approved ordinance.
- Review all remaining arterials for speed limit sign placement and frequency.
- Launch behavior shift campaign to strengthen slow speed norms and reinforce consistent safety messaging.
Phase 3: Secondary and Collector Arterials (Summer 2028)
- Replace and add speed limit signs on remaining arterials to align with approved ordinance.
- Review and revise speed change locations to align with approved ordinance.
- Continue and expand on community engagement strategies from phases 1-2.
Background
The City of Bellingham has historically set speed limits using guidance from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This guidance relied heavily on the 85th‑percentile speed, which is the speed most drivers travel under normal conditions. The 2024 MUTCD update now requires cities to consider roadway context as part of an engineering evaluation when setting speed limits.
In response, the City updated its policies and practices to better support injury‑reduction goals, Vision Zero principles, and the Safe Systems Approach.
To do this, the City developed a new speed‑setting policy using the NACTO City Limits methodology. This method is designed specifically for cities and focuses on context‑sensitive speed limits that reflect local conditions. Bellingham adapted the framework to be flexible, easy to use, and aligned with broader City goals, including climate action, increased travel options, and improved safety for everyone.
Documents
Contacts
General project questions: AskPW@cob.org
Media inquiries: pwmedia@cob.org
Project Manager
Shane Sullivan, Transportation Engineer
Email: spsullivan@cob.org
