BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Drivers in Bellingham may have noticed the road construction on Lincoln St. in the last few weeks.

The City of Bellingham is making some changes, including some safety upgrades, to Lincoln St. in Bellingham. Crews are working to shift the portion of Lincoln St. near the Fred Meyer located on Lakeway Dr. from five lanes to three lanes with a center turn lane.

The existing bike lanes will become buffer-protected, and a full traffic signal will be added to the intersection of Lincoln St. and E. Maple.

Other upgrades will include an expanded sidewalk next to the new traffic signal, a flashing crosswalk, a pedestrian island next to the Viking Circle apartments and a curb extension next to the bus stop. The traffic signal is being funded by a grant from the Transportation Improvement Board while the non-motorized upgrades are supported by the voter-approved Bellingham Transportation Fund.

The city states that traffic will be reduced to a single lane during working hours and drivers should expect some delays.

The construction began last September in an effort to add safety improvements to the busy street. The new project is located next to hundreds of student apartments and several new businesses that are currently being built.

Supply chain issues and weather delayed the project last year which just recently resumed.

The city expects construction to be finished in the coming months.