This project continues the City’s decades-long commitment to improving fish passage, recently formalized in a voluntary Memorandum of Agreement with Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The two partial fish barriers on Squalicum Creek near West Street are high priorities for improvement based on the City’s Fish Barrier Implementation Plan. Improving fish passage helps increase survival of salmon and trout in the Squalicum Creek watershed by allowing fish to access to upstream quality habitat for laying eggs (spawning) and rearing. This project also helps fulfill the stream restoration component of the Squalicum Creek Park Master Plan . This project benefits anadromous Chinook, coho, and chum salmon, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout, and resident fish species. Both Chinook and steelhead are currently listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The project builds upon previous fish passage improvements that were completed at James Street and I-5 and provides fish access to restored upstream habitat completed as part of the Squalicum Creek Re-route restoration projects . Existing Culverts This project improves partial fish barriers at two crossings near West Street at the entrance to Squalicum Creek Park. The upstream culvert goes diagonally under both West Street and then Squalicum Way, and the downstream culvert goes under Squalicum Way just downstream of the confluence of the Willow Spring tributary. Both culverts will be replaced with 100% fish-passable structures. Squalicum Creek Culvert at West Street and Squalicum WaySqualicum Creek Culvert at Squalicum Way and Willow Spring

A NOAA grant was awarded to the Nooksack Indian Tribe for $300,000 to be used for 30% design for two high-priority fish passage solutions on Squalicum Creek. The City of Bellingham was able to identify an additional $90,000 to meet the contract requirements for the 30% design. In March 2025, 30% Design was awarded to Osborn Consulting for $385,067.63.

Transportation Archives

Squalicum Creek at West Street Fish Passage Improvements Project

Old culvert with stream running through it and overgrown vegetation around it

The Squalicum Creek at West Street Fish Passage Improvement Project is part of a coordinated, strategic approach to fish barrier removal in Bellingham, and one of many projects completed or in the works in the Squalicum Creek watershed. This project will replace two partial fish passage barriers in the main channel of Squalicum Creek adjacent ... Read more

Final Design – Holly Street Corridor (Broadway to Ellis)

Holly Street Corridor looking southeast towards Downtown

The 2024 Bicycle Master Plan prioritizes Holly Street from Ellis Street to Broadway as a key corridor for bicycle improvements. The Bicycle Master Plan is guided by a data-driven network analysis and extensive public and stakeholder input. This project aims to close a critical gap in the City’s bike network by establishing cycling infrastructure along the entire ... Read more

Holly Street Bike Lane Pilot

Buffered Bike Lane on Holly Street entering Downtown

In May 2024, the City of Bellingham piloted a new bike lane on Holly Street from Ellis to Bay Street to improve safety, mobility, and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians. This project helped advance key goals outlined in Bellingham’s 2024 Bicycle Master Plan, as well as the City’s Local Road Safety Plan, to enhance pedestrian safety ... Read more

Squalicum Creek at West Street Fish Passage Improvements Project

Final Design – Holly Street Corridor (Broadway to Ellis)

Holly Street Bike Lane Pilot

Cornwall Avenue Bridge Preventative Maintenance (BNSF Spur)

Holly Street Bridge Replacement Project

Birchwood Elementary Safe Routes to School