Permanent, reflective lane striping is finally scheduled for the South Samish Way I-5 Overpass / Lincoln St. / Elwood Ave intersection. The Samish Way pavement improvements were made in the fall of 2024, with temporary lane striping applied at that time. That striping was insufficient, difficult to see after dark, and has faded.

Although the Samish I-5 Overpass  and Elwood Ave Re-channelization were initially two separate projects, they  have been combined into one, given their proximity to each other and their related impacts on the 4-way intersection. The final, permanent, reflective paint will be heat-applied for added longevity, and will indicate lane designations and revised traffic flows. The entire project is currently planned to begin on or about Monday, July 21st. 

S. Samish Way / I-5 Overpass (eastbound)

The right vehicle lane will shift further right to become a curb lane and remain a “right-turn-only” lane. The bike lane will shift slightly to the left and include a green “bike box”at the intersection, allowing bikes to go straight up Elwood, or turn right onto Samish, or turn left onto Lincoln. Reflective, heat-applied, permanent paint stripes will also be applied to the overpass to more clearly identify vehicle traffic lanes. The bike lanes and bike boxes will be re-painted green to provide better visibility, safety, and flexibility for cyclists on these street projects.

Elwood Ave (westbound)

Changes to Elwood Ave. will include re-channelization of the lanes on westbound Elwood Ave, as well as traffic light changes and new, mounted physical signage. The end result will create a bi-directional center lane (for both left turns and/or driving straight onto the I-5 Overpass), and a right curb lane that will be designated as “right-turn-only,” and a migrating bike lane will be fitted between those two vehicle lanes. (See map on the Public Works website). 

And by the way....Holly Street Bike Lane Modifications

Following a review of the Holly St. Bike Lane Pilot project, as well as significant public feedback from drivers, cyclists, and pedestrian users, Public Works has decided to modify the bike lane section from State St. to Bay St. The current Parking Protected Bike Lane design will be changed to a Buffered Bike Lane, which will move vehicle parking to the curb lane and place the bike lane between the active traffic lane and parked vehicles. This will be similar to the current design from Ellis St. to State St. The timing for these changes is TBD but is planned to happen in the next two to six weeks during sunny summer weather.

Attempts were made to obtain more project details & better maps /drawings of the intended work elements from Public Works but voicemails left were not answered. 

[Editor note - July 24.  Eleven days after this article appeared online, the city complied with Tom’s request and provided him with the files and information he requested. ]