Project Overview: ES-0552
In 2016-2017, the City (Public Works and TranspoGroup consultants) completed a comprehensive corridor study to examine alternatives to reduce collisions, construct bikeway facilities, improve pedestrian safety, and improve the streetscape environment along 3/4 mile of the Samish-Maple-Ellis corridor from Bill McDonald Parkway to Lakeway Drive. The 2009 Samish Way Urban Village Plan made some recommendations for the corridor (see below) and the 2014 Bicycle Master Plan recommended bike lanes on the south portion of the corridor and “Further Study Needed” for the north portion of the corridor where “S” turns and other arterial streets connect to the corridor.
Excerpt from the 2014 Bellingham Bicycle Master Plan (chapter 3, page 54) re: Samish Way – Samish Way is a key crossing from Lincoln Street into the Samish Way Urban Village and the main access to Western Washington University along Bill McDonald Parkway. The nearby WWU Lincoln Street Park and Ride, Sehome Village, and Lakeway commercial area are important destinations for University students and other local residents. In order to improve bicycle access in this area, the existing bike lanes on Samish Way should be upgraded to buffered bike lanes and pavement markings should extend through the intersections. Green bike lanes should be considered between travel lanes on the west side of the interchange to denote a vehicle-bicycle mixing zone and to enhance bicyclists’ safety.
Project Details
- Status – Complete
- Contract Awarded – July 2020
- Contract Amount – $766,232.90
- Contractor – Colacurcio Brothers
- Completion Date – November 2, 2020
September 2016 – May 2020
Milestones (black) – Documents (blue):
- 2009 Samish Way Urban Village Plan, Chapter 4 – Circulation and Parking
- TranspoGroup Final Memo for Corridor Study-March 2017
- TranspoGroup Final Graphics & Cost Estimates for Corridor Study-March 2017
- Public Works presentation to Bellingham Transportation Commission – April 11, 2017
- Public Works presentation to Bellingham Housing Authority – May 5, 2017
- Public Works presentation to Sehome Neighborhood Association – May 23, 2017
- Samish-Maple-Ellis Multimodal Safety Improvements adopted in Bellingham’s 2018-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as unfunded project
- Public Works presentation to York Neighborhood Association – June 14, 2017
- TIB Sidewalk grant awarded for new pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk at Samish/Otis/Maple intersection – November 2017
- Public Works presentation to Puget Neighborhood Association – February 20, 2018
- Public Works presentation to York Neighborhood Association – March 14, 2018
- Public Works presentation to Bellingham City Council – March 26, 2018
- WSDOT Pedestrian-Bicycle Safety Grant application submitted – May 10, 2018
- Public Works presentation to Sehome Neighborhood Association – May 22, 2018
- Samish-Maple-Ellis Multimodal Safety Improvements adopted in Bellingham’s 2019-2024 TIP as project pending WSDOT grant funding
- If WSDOT grant funding is awarded in June 2019, then construction of corridor improvements possible in summer 2020
- Samish-Maple-Ellis Multimodal Safety Improvements FAQ – March 2020
- Design complete and most permits in place – May 2020
Related projects
- Lakeway-Lincoln Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Mobility Improvements (ES-0538) – Funded; Constructed summer 2019
- Samish/Otis/Maple Flashing Crosswalk
- Lincoln-Byron Multimodal Safety Improvements (ES-0543) – Unfunded; Construction possible summer 2020, pending WSDOT grant
Contacts
Construction contact:
Freeman (Fritz) Anthony, PE
Project Engineer
(360) 778-7924
fanthony@cob.org
Transportation Planning contact:
Chris Comeau
Transportation Planner
(360) 778-7946
ccomeau@cob.org
Public Works Contacts
