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Bellingham · BEL-CP-2016 · Pages 95-137

Multimodal Transportation Chapter

The Multimodal Transportation Chapter establishes a Complete Networks approach to transportation planning encompassing pedestrian, bicycle, transit, vehicle, and freight modes. It includes detailed mode shift goals, level-of-service standards, concurrency requirements, and a 20-year capital improvement program with funding tables. The chapter integrates land use and transportation planning to support urban village development, transit-oriented development, and reduction of single-occupancy vehicle trips.

Transportation Economy Environment Social Safety Governance
Key Commitments
Reduce SOV work trips from 68.4% (2010-2014) to 50% by 2036; increase transit to 9%, bicycle to 12%, pedestrian to 10% by 2036; 266-mile Primary Pedestrian Network ($225M to complete); 160-mile Primary Bicycle Network ($30M to complete); $98.36M funding needed 2016-2021; $68.3M needed 2022-2027; $180.9M needed 2028-2037
Goals (6 total)
  • GOAL T-1: Limit urban sprawl by linking land use and transportation planning.
  • GOAL T-2: Provide safe, well-connected, and sustainable mobility options for all users.
  • GOAL T-3: Increase infrastructure for bicycles, pedestrian, and non-single-occupancy vehicle modes of transportation.
  • GOAL T-4: Reduce dependence on single-occupancy vehicles.
  • GOAL T-5: Maintain and improve streets, trails, and other infrastructure.
  • GOAL T-6: Ensure that social equity needs are addressed in all transportation projects.
Stronger Policy Language (19 policies)
  • Policy T-11: Require all new development to construct sidewalks on all public streets identified as part of Bellingham's Citywide Pedestrian or Transit Network per City street standards.
  • Policy T-12: Require all new development to construct bike lanes on all arterial streets identified as part of Bellingham's Citywide Bicycle Network per City street standards.
  • Policy T-22: Publish an annual report on adopted LOS standards and adequacy of the Citywide transportation system according to its Multimodal Transportation Concurrency Program and the TRAM.
  • Policy T-29: Assess all new development for transportation impact fees to recover a proportional share of the costs of constructing planned transportation system improvements for 2016-2036.
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (11 policies)
  • Policy T-3: Encourage higher-density transit-oriented development along certain WTA high-frequency transit routes connecting urban villages.
  • Policy T-16: Employ Transportation Demand Management and Transportation System Management strategies to increase the safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of the Citywide multimodal transportation system.
  • Policy T-20: Encourage WCOG to continue reinforcing the link between City sidewalk, bikeway, and transit infrastructure improvements and travel decision-making.
  • Policy T-28: Encourage WSDOT to improve bicycle and pedestrian facility safety in all state highway projects, wherever possible.

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