Pilot Period: May - Fall 2024 to evaluate effectiveness through a summer season. Lane Configurations: Ellis to State St.: Buffered bike lane with striped buffer zone separating cyclists from traffic. State to Bay St.: Parking protected separated bike lane with physical barrier between parked cars and cyclists (maximized safety). Traffic Flow: Safety Enhancements: Leading Pedestrian Indicators (LPIs) at intersections for improved pedestrian & cyclist visibility during crosswalks. Traffic studies to analyze traffic flow and speed impacts. Reduced driving lanes: 2 lanes (Ellis to Commercial), 1 lane (Commercial to Bay) to accommodate bike lanes. No changes to on-street parking availability.

Pre-installation briefings will be conducted with relevant advocacy groups, local businesses, Transportation Commission, and City Council. An EngageBellingham page will be launched during the pilot to gather community feedback on perceived safety (cyclist, pedestrian, driver). Staff presence at downtown events will facilitate in-person feedback collection. Post-pilot evaluations will be presented to stakeholder groups, informing the final design for a potential permentant installation

City Center Archives

Holly Street Bike Lane Pilot

Starting in May, the City of Bellingham will be piloting a new bike lane on Holly Street from Ellis to Bay Street to improve safety, mobility, and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians. The pilot will include: The bike lane installation will take away one lane of traffic through the corridor but will not result in ... Read more

Central Library Renovation – Phase 2

Project Overview The upcoming remodel (EF175) of the Central Library (210 Central Avenue) will include renovation of the ground floor meeting space, Children’s library area, main floor entrance, and upper floor staff areas, as well as the addition of new electric heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) units. This project will bring needed heat and cooling ... Read more

Westside Non-Motorized Improvements

Looking across an empty crosswalk on the road.

Project Overview The Westside Non-Motorized Improvements Project (ES563) will add and improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in 15 locations throughout Bellingham, primarily on the west side of town. The project includes improvements in the following areas: Project Status – April 2024 Construction is wrapping up with just a few remaining intersection improvements to complete. Bike ... Read more

State-Ellis Bridge Replacement

Whatcom Creek flowing under the State-Ellis Street bridge

Project Overview: ER014 The State-Ellis Bridge across Whatcom Creek was a timber structure bridge supported by wooden piles located at the intersection of State and Ellis streets. The bridge was built in the 1930’s and gradually deteriorated over time, requiring replacement. The new bridge structure is a single span concrete structure over Whatcom Creek. The ... Read more

Whatcom Creek Trunk Main

Project Overview: EU182 This project re-lined a 1909 sewer trunk main along Whatcom Creek from Nevada right-of-way West to the State/York intersection. The goal of the project is to extend the life of the egg-shaped pipe by re-lining the interior. Videos of the interior of the main showed deterioration in the pipe including holes and ... Read more

Roeder Lift Station

Project Overview: EU180 This project will improve a sewage transport system by upgrading the existing lift station and connecting pipes so that the system can handle more sewage in the future. The existing lift station receives sewage from most of the northwest portion of the city and is near its capacity limit. It currently requires frequent ... Read more