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

Public Works 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

Post Point Solids Pilot Program

Project Overview Post Point Resource Recovery is looking for new solutions for wastewater solids processing. After the Mayor and City Council directed the City to change course on a Biosolids processing project due to concerns around the cost and the constituents of emerging concern, including PFAS, the city began working to find a new solution ... 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

Woburn Street Site Improvements

The Woburn Street Site Improvements project (EF171) will improve the former Parks & Recreation Operations site by removing or renovating old buildings, grading the site to a more usable format, adding storage, and improving pedestrian access around the site. Public Works and Parks & Recreation will have bulk storage facilities on the site, as well ... Read more

Squalicum Creek at Baker Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project

A small dam on a creek with a concrete culvert in the background where the creek goes under a road.

Project Overview The Squalicum Creek at Baker Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project (EN059) is part of the City’s strategic approach to fish barrier removal. Located where Squalicum and Baker Creeks meet, this project: Correcting the City-owned fish passage barrier on Squalicum Creek is a high priority based on the City’s Fish Barrier Prioritization and will benefit ... Read more

Padden Creek at 30th Street Fish Passage Improvement Project

An old culvert consisting of two metal pipes where a creek crosses under a road.

Project Overview The Padden Creek at 30th St. Fish Passage Improvement Project is part of a well-coordinated, strategic approach to fish barrier removal. This project will remove a City-owned fish passage barrier located where 30th Street crosses Padden Creek. Removing this barrier will make the crossing 100% passable for fish. This barrier is ranked as ... Read more