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POSTED: Thursday, Jul. 09, 2009

Bellingham hopes to install traffic signal at Chestnut, Railroad

BELLINGHAM - City officials hope to install a traffic signal at Chestnut Street and Railroad Avenue that could make the intersection safer for pedestrians and drivers, especially during the Bellingham Farmers Market.

Bellingham Public Works officials are already planning this year to remove signals at Champion and Commercial streets, near the Mount Baker Theatre. Steve Haugen, traffic operations engineer, said he hopes to find enough money to install those signal poles at Chestnut and Railroad, near The Woods Coffee and La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza.

A traffic signal would make it safer for pedestrians to cross Chestnut, and it would reduce congestion for vehicles, Haugen said. On Saturdays, during the market, so many people cross Chestnut it can back up traffic all the way to Cornwall Avenue.

"This will really organize the flow of pedestrians as well as the flow of traffic on Chestnut," he said. "It's going to be a win-win for vehicles and pedestrians."

The intersection had three reported crashes in 2007, two in 2008 and three this year. In May 2009, a crash involved a bicyclist, but it apparently wasn't too serious because the rider left before emergency crews arrived.

Public Works will have the signals, poles and electronics available, but it may cost roughly $50,000 to $60,000 to install them. Money to install the signals will have to come from leftover funds from a project to install pedestrian crossings in various locations, Haugen said. If money is left over, then crews plan to install the signal later this year.

People who work in the area gave it their thumbs up.

"That's a good idea," said Rick Alcantara, site manager for the farmers market. "I think it's very important for our customers at the market."

Molly McCormack, manager at The Woods Coffee at the corner, estimated that on sunny days maybe half of the café's customers come from across Chestnut. She's also seen a couple of vehicle crashes there.

"I think it would be great for the business and for pedestrians and for drivers," she said. "All around good."