Project Overview
The Downtown Signalized Intersection Accessibility & Safety Improvements project will replace and upgrade six intersections in downtown (Cornwall and Railroad at Magnolia, Holly, and Chestnut) with new traffic signals and curb treatments to improve accessibility and safety.
Currently, the six intersections in question are not equipped with the necessary ADA accommodations including accessible pedestrian signals and detectable warning systems. In addition to ADA improvements, the project will implement leading pedestrian interval (LPI) at the signals. Implementation of LPIs can result in up to a 13 percent reduction in pedestrian-vehicle crashes alone.
Project Status 2026
The project is funded for construction and the design phase will begin summer 2026.
Project Background
This project was identified as one of four Transportation Planning and Engineering Safety Projects in our 2024 Local Road Safety Plan to help address a high concentration of crashes in downtown Bellingham. The project also responds to requests that the City has received from visually and hearing-impaired residents, as well as residents with physical mobility challenges, to upgrade existing traffic signals associated with this project.
Funding
This project is listed as funded in the City’s Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program. Funding comes from a combination of local sources and federal grants.
Project Timeline
- Project design start: summer 2026
- Expected construction start date: 2027
Contact
General project questions: AskPW@cob.org
Media inquiries: pwmedia@cob.org
Project Engineer
Kyle Carlson, PE
Phone: (360) 778-7946
Email: kmcarlson@cob.org
