BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Plans to move Bellingham’s iconic Graffiti Rock are underway.

WSDOT Communications’ David Rasbach says that crews are clearing trees around the over 100-ton rock to prepare for its removal.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that debate over the rock’s future has been ongoing since 2023, when a fish passage project for the area was announced.

Rasbach says the rock’s removal is unfortunate, but necessary.

“We had to move it. So, the rock is right where we’re doing some fish passage work this summer,” Rasbach said. “And we’re going to actually build a bypass road right near where the rock is and part of this new structure will be right in that area.”

Crews will chip away at all the layers of paint that’s adorned the rock for nearly half a century.

Rasbach added the rock cannot physically be removed in one piece, but explosives won’t be used to break it apart.

He said that it took a lot longer than expected to find a new location for the famed boulder.

“WSDOT was exhaustive in its search. We wanted to respect the legacy of the rock, respect the emotions that are involved with the rock. So, we did everything we could to find a suitable location where it can still be publicly viewed,” Rasbach said.

Rasbach did not identify the future owner but said that they are in Bellingham and will make their own announcement when the time is right.