BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A change has come to a popular Bellingham street beginning today.

The City of Bellingham announced on Friday afternoon that beginning on Monday, July 28, drivers hoping to park on State Street will need to back into their angled spots.

This only applies to the section of the street between Holly Street and the roundabout at the base of downtown. Roadwork to repave the parking spaces to account for the new angle is expected to wrap up around midday on Monday.

According to the city, this improves visibility when exiting spaces and prevents drivers from blindly backing into moving traffic.

The city adds that the change also increases safety for cyclists and pedestrians.