Posted: August 26, 2010 9:09:38 AM PDT
Local and state officials will join Puget neighborhood residents and others to celebrate a new boardwalk, cross walks and bike lanes along Fraser Street. The public is invited to a ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, outside Regency Park Apartments, 2050 Fraser Street in Bellingham.
The new boardwalk and bicycle lanes on Fraser Street significantly improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, including Carl Cozier Elementary School students who can now walk a new, safer route to school.
Mayor Dan Pike, Bellingham School Superintendent Dr. Greg Baker and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials will join Carl Cozier students, families and neighborhood residents at the dedication ceremony. Following a ribbon cutting ceremony, Dr. Baker and Tom Venable, Carl Cozier School Principal, will lead the way for students and families along the new walking route to Carl Cozier School. The school walk route provides students an opportunity to get daily physical activity while reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in the vicinity of the school.
“This is a great way for our community to promote healthy lifestyle choices, encourage conservation of local resources, and foster responsible citizenship with our children,” Venable said.
City of Bellingham, Whatcom County Health Department and everybodyBIKE staff will collaborate with Carl Cozier staff and PTA members and the Puget Neighborhood Association on education and awareness campaigns.
WSDOT provided construction funding for the improvements through the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Grant program. The grant includes funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety education as well as targeted school zone traffic enforcement by the Bellingham Police Department.
The Fraser Street project provides neighborhood residents with safer options to walk and bike to the Civic Athletic Complex and enhances safety for cyclists and pedestrians who use this important link to access downtown. In addition, the project will reduce transportation costs for the school district allowing more resources to be used for classroom instruction. More details about the construction project can be found on the City website: http://www.cob.org/government/departments/pw/projects/completed-2010/es-386-Fraser-Street-Pedestrian-Bike-Improvement-PhaseIII.aspx
###
Media Contact:
Kim Brown, Transportation Options Coordinator
Public Works Department
(360)778-7950
kimbrown@cob.org
