Expect traffic delays as construction starts for bike lanes in these Bellingham areas
Construction has started for long-planned work along a major thoroughfare linking several neighborhoods surrounding downtown with Western Washington University and the commercial strip along Samish Way.
Samish Way, Maple and Ellis streets will get the same wide bike lanes that have been appearing around Bellingham, part of the city’s commitment to connecting its neighborhoods for bicyclists, bus riders and people on foot — as well as in cars, city officials told The Bellingham Herald earlier this year.
In addition, a flashing crosswalk will be built across Bill McDonald Parkway between the Haggen grocery store entrance and 35th Street, at a busy Whatcom Transportation Authority bus stop.
Growth and development have increased in that area, especially along North Samish Way, and the $1.2 million project aims to make the road safer for all.
Traffic volumes vary from 13,000 to 15,000 vehicles per day, according to city data.
Most of the project is paid for with a state Department of Transportation grant.
“All users of the Samish-Maple-Ellis-York street corridors — pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers — will see significant traffic impacts as construction begins along ¾ mile of the Samish-Maple-Ellis corridor from Bill McDonald Parkway to Lakeway Drive, the city of Bellingham said in a statement Friday, Sept. 11.
Construction will continue north of Lakeway Drive to York Street later this year, the city said.
That means the road known as Samish, then Maple, then Ellis will lose one lane for cars in each direction from Interstate 5 to Lakeway Drive, said Chris Comeau, transportation planner.
Buffered bike lanes are planned, similar to the ones recently installed on Chestnut Street downtown and along Barkley Boulevard. Intersections and driveways will be marked in green to give bicyclists greater visibility, according to the plans.
Work will affect traffic substantially, the city said.
“Flaggers will help guide traffic through construction sites,” the city said. “Construction will occur between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. with some night work possible.”
No changes to existing parking are planned, the city said.
“The construction schedule could change unexpectedly due to COVID-19 response,” the city said. “All contractors implementing city construction projects at this time are required to follow a health and safety plan for preventing the spread of COVID-19.”
