Each city in Washington is required to develop comprehensive plans, including transportation elements, under the Growth Management Act (GMA). The Bellingham Comprehensive Plan includes a Transportation Element that addresses the multimodal transportation needs of the City and the Urban Growth Area (UGA) over a 20-year planning period. Bellingham Transportation Planners work with Whatcom County, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Whatcom Council of Governments Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO). The Transportation Element is updated every 10 years through an extensive public process. Transportation planners are involved in Urban Village planning, Neighborhood Plan updates, and UGA annexation proposals to ensure that long-range transportation needs are addressed and that proposals are consistent with the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
