Traffic slows in downtown Bellingham as work on bike lanes trial project kicks off

Commuter traffic slowed Wednesday morning on Lakeway Drive, Ellis and Holly streets as bike lanes are being installed, part of a trial project to make travel through downtown Bellingham safer for people walking and cycling.

Installation of bike lanes on Holly Street from Ellis to Prospect streets started Wednesday and should be finished Thursday, Natalie Monro, a spokeswoman for the Public Works Department, told The Bellingham Herald.

“The bike lanes themselves should be painted today, and I believe they will go back and add the green bike boxes in the intersections tomorrow,” Monro said. “We would love to direct people to give us feedback on their experience with the new configuration of Holly Street as a driver, walker and biker.”

Information about the project is live on the Engage Bellingham website and a survey about the project will be live once installation of the bike lanes is complete, Monro said.

Bellingham officials announced the project April 8, and the City Council unanimously approved it.

Holly is downtown Bellingham’s busiest street used by about 12,000 drivers daily, according to a 2023 city traffic count.

According to the plan, one of three Holly Street traffic lanes will be removed through the commercial core from Ellis Street to Bay Street. No parking will be lost. Eric Johnston, director of the Public Works Department, said the plan was aimed at making it easier for bike riders and people on foot by slowing traffic through downtown.

Here’s what’s planned:

▪ A buffered bike lane — using painted pavement — is planned on Holly Street from Ellis to State streets, and traffic will be reduced from three lanes to two.

▪ A “parking-protected bike lane” is planned on Holly Street from State to Bay streets, meaning that the bike lane will run next to the curb with cars parking on the left of the bike lane. Traffic lanes will be reduced from three to two.

▪ Crosswalk signals will be timed to allow a “leading pedestrian interval,” meaning that people on sidewalks walking parallel to traffic will be able to start crossing a few seconds before drivers get a green light. It’s considered a way to keep drivers who are turning from hitting pedestrians.

Joel Pfundt, assistant director of the Public Works Department’s Transportation Division, said that the project will be evaluated using public input after several months.

The estimated cost of the project is $55,000.