Parking Removal for Bike and Pedestrian Upgrades

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Consultation has concluded

To make space for pedestrian and bicycle upgrades, some on-street parking will need to be removed for a few of the 2023 transportation projects approved by the Bellingham City Council in the 6-year Transportation Improvement Program. The project areas include:

  • W. Illinois Street (Sunset to Lynn)
  • Meridian Street (East Victor to West Illinois)
  • Girard Street (Broadway to Young)
  • Eldridge Ave (Broadway to Nequalicum)
  • Cornwall Ave (Laurel to Pine)

The City of Bellingham prioritizes pedestrians, bicyclists and people over single-occupancy vehicles, both driving and parked (Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan). Parking studies help guide the decisions of where to remove parking to implement the 2012 Pedestrian Master Plan and 2014 Bicycle Master Plan.

Parking studies have been completed for the project areas listed above. The parking study results, along with project overviews, were presented to the Transportation Commission on September 13, 2022. The Transportation Commission is an advisory panel that helps shape the future of Bellingham by taking a long-range, strategic look at transportation issues (BMC 2.44). The Transportation Commission's recommendations on the removal of on-street parking were presented to the City Council in October 2023. Impacted and interested community members shared their support or concerns about one or more of the proposed 2023 parking removal projects on the City Council- General Public Comment page, during the public comment session at the Transportation Commission meeting on September 13, and at the public hearing that will be held on October 3 at 7 pm during the Bellingham City Council meeting.

Community members who live adjacent to one of the proposed projects were notified through a mailed project flyer and were provided a survey that will partially inform the Transportation Commission about community support of these projects. All community members were invited to participate in the survey (below).

To make space for pedestrian and bicycle upgrades, some on-street parking will need to be removed for a few of the 2023 transportation projects approved by the Bellingham City Council in the 6-year Transportation Improvement Program. The project areas include:

  • W. Illinois Street (Sunset to Lynn)
  • Meridian Street (East Victor to West Illinois)
  • Girard Street (Broadway to Young)
  • Eldridge Ave (Broadway to Nequalicum)
  • Cornwall Ave (Laurel to Pine)

The City of Bellingham prioritizes pedestrians, bicyclists and people over single-occupancy vehicles, both driving and parked (Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan). Parking studies help guide the decisions of where to remove parking to implement the 2012 Pedestrian Master Plan and 2014 Bicycle Master Plan.

Parking studies have been completed for the project areas listed above. The parking study results, along with project overviews, were presented to the Transportation Commission on September 13, 2022. The Transportation Commission is an advisory panel that helps shape the future of Bellingham by taking a long-range, strategic look at transportation issues (BMC 2.44). The Transportation Commission's recommendations on the removal of on-street parking were presented to the City Council in October 2023. Impacted and interested community members shared their support or concerns about one or more of the proposed 2023 parking removal projects on the City Council- General Public Comment page, during the public comment session at the Transportation Commission meeting on September 13, and at the public hearing that will be held on October 3 at 7 pm during the Bellingham City Council meeting.

Community members who live adjacent to one of the proposed projects were notified through a mailed project flyer and were provided a survey that will partially inform the Transportation Commission about community support of these projects. All community members were invited to participate in the survey (below).

Consultation has concluded

  • Parkview Safe Routes to School and W. Illinois St. Improvements

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    ES560: Sidewalks and pedestrian crossing improvements are proposed to be added to Cornwall Avenue, Coolidge Street and W. Illinois Street. Parking will be removed on one side of W. Illinois Street, from Sunset to Meridian, to accommodate sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of W. Illinois Street. This project is funded by the Transportation Fund and WSDOT Safe Routes to School grant. To learn more about the Parkview Safe Route to School project, visit the Parkview Safe Routes to School project page.

    ES561: Sidewalks and added/updated ramps to ADA standard will be added to West Illinois Street and installation of bike lanes on both sides of Meridian Street, Illinois Street and Girard Street. Parking will need to be removed on one side of Meridian Street and Girard Street to provide the space needed for bike lanes. In addition, a small roundabout will be installed at the intersection of Meridian Street and West Illinois and the existing signal will be removed. To learn more about this project, visit the West Illinois St. Multimodal Improvements project page.

  • Eldridge Avenue

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    Westside Non-Motorized Improvements (ES563)

    Buffered Bike lanes will be added to both sides of Eldridge Avenue from Broadway Street to Nequalicum Avenue and pedestrian crossings on Eldridge Avenue will be improved at four intersections. To accommodate on-street bike lanes, parking will need to be removed from both sides of Eldridge Avenue. For more information, please visit the project webpage.

  • Cornwall Ave.

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    Westside Non-Motorized Improvements (ES563)

    Transportation Fund dollars will be used to install buffered bike lanes from Granary Ave. to Wharf St. (Cornwall Beach Park) according to the Bicycle Master Plan. This project will connect downtown and Port of Bellingham's waterfront area, including Waypoint Park, to future City of Bellingham park at the south end of Cornwall Avenue. For more information, please visit the project webpage.