Taking a drive around Bellis Fair Parkway

           After writing an article on the City’s plan to connect Bellis Fair Parkway and Eliza Avenue, I decided to drive to the mall and experience the traffic. I went to Bellis Fair Mall around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, about the time rush hour traffic begins to form.

            I took the Bellis Fair Mall/Meridian Street exit. I took a right on Meridian Street and doubled back by taking Bellis Fair Parkway around the mall. Once on Meridian Street I noticed there was a lot of congestion. It took about seven minutes to get from the exit to Bellis Fair Parkway. This road is a two-lane, windy road so you must pay attention to people turning in and out of the mall.

            I followed Bellis Fair Parkway around to where Target is and where the connection will occur. It took another eight minutes to get around Bellis Fair Parkway. Target is a popular store in Bellingham, so there was a lot of turning in and out of that parking lot. I was frustrated when I got to that area because people were stopping at non-stopping areas and going when there was a stop sign.