Help guide the future of the Meridian–Birchwood corridors
Do you care about the Meridian Street intersections at Squalicum Parkway, and/or at Birchwood Avenue? We are seeking community input on priorities and design elements as we advance the Meridian–Birchwood Transportation Improvements Project toward final design. Until March 15, please share your input on which features you believe are most important to prioritize in the final roundabout and connections using the Survey and Questions tools below. You can also join City staff for an interactive Open House, 6:00-7:30 pm, Wednesday, March 4, at Parkview Elementary School.
Full project details are availableContinue reading
Help guide the future of the Meridian–Birchwood corridors
Do you care about the Meridian Street intersections at Squalicum Parkway, and/or at Birchwood Avenue? We are seeking community input on priorities and design elements as we advance the Meridian–Birchwood Transportation Improvements Project toward final design. Until March 15, please share your input on which features you believe are most important to prioritize in the final roundabout and connections using the Survey and Questions tools below. You can also join City staff for an interactive Open House, 6:00-7:30 pm, Wednesday, March 4, at Parkview Elementary School.
Full project details are available on the Meridian–Birchwood Transportation Improvements project webpage.
Why are we asking for your input?
These two closely spaced intersections currently experience major congestion and serve as key connections between the waterfront, the Port of Bellingham, and I‑5. The project is designed to improve traffic flow for people and freight while enhancing visibility, access, and multimodal efficiency. As we finalize the design, we’re balancing goals for the safety and comfort of people walking and biking, efficient freight movement, access to transit, trail connectivity, and environmental restoration. Your feedback will help ensure the final design reflects the community’s priorities for this critical piece of Bellingham’s transportation network.
What will change along Squalicum Way, Birchwood Avenue, and Meridian Street?
This project will address a critical need in our transportation network, prioritized after extensive community input and traffic monitoring identified long-standing congestion and safety issues near these two closely spaced intersections. Now the project is moving forward, aiming to increase safety, sight distance, access, and efficiency at a key junction in our transportation system.
The project will:
- Realign the Squalicum Way truck route to match Birchwood Avenue before reaching Meridian Street.
- Reconstruct Birchwood Avenue to meet the realigned Squalicum Way in a standard T‑intersection.
- Replace the signal at Meridian & Birchwood with a multi‑modal roundabout designed to improve efficiency and safety for all users.
- Extend the Bay to Baker Trail from Cornwall Memorial Park through the project area, including a trail crossing at Meridian on the south leg of the roundabout.
- Remove the unused portion of Squalicum Way to enable restoration of Tributary W and related habitat improvements.
- Provide 1% for the Arts features within the roundabout and potentially at other key locations in the project area.
The revised scope (Squalicum Way realignment, Meridian–Birchwood roundabout, and Tributary W restoration) is fully funded for construction, with federal permitting and right-of-way acquisition underway. The project team has completed a 60% design set, and construction is currently anticipated to begin in early 2028, subject to permitting and right-of-way acquisition.
Want to learn more?
Additional details and background about this project are available on the Meridian–Birchwood Transportation Improvements project webpage.
