HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-2025 Public Works SS Briefings KITTITAS COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT
STUDY SESSION DATE: July 14, 2025
TOPIC: Amending Title 10 acknowledging updates to
County Road network
ACTION REQUESTED: Direct staff prepare enabling documents
LEAD STAFF:
Cameron Curtis
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct Staff prepare enabling documents to amend Kittitas County Code Title 10
BRIEFING SUMMARY:
• Several County Roads have been annexed into the City of Ellensburg or vacated
that have not been removed from Kittitas County Code Title 10 Vehicles and
Traffic.
• The posted speed limit for several County Roads does not match the Ordinance,
or the County Road Log.
• There is one duplicate road listed within Title 10.
• Public Works intends to set a Public Hearing and present an Ordinance to update
Title 10.
BACKGROUND:
Kittitas County Code Title 10.08 establishes the maximum speed limit of roads in Kittitas
County. Speed Limits are set and adjusted by ordinance and updated in the appropriate
section of Title 10.08 when action is taken. The County Road Log identifies individual
road segments and information regarding the road such as speed limits and roadway
width. Public Works performed an audit of information identified in Title 10 and the
County Road Log. This process identified several updates which are needed to be
consistent. This included adjustments due to annexations as well as including consistent
information between ordinances and the road log.
DISCUSSION:
Public Works has identified several inconsistencies between Title 10.08 and the County
Road Log. Exhibits 1, 2, and 3 list the inconsistencies which should be addressed within
Title 10.
For changes to Title 10, including those required due to road annexations, road vacations,
and duplicate road entries (Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 3), Public Works will set a Public
Hearing. For inconsistencies in which an ordinance already exists (Exhibit 2), Public
Works will work with IT to update the code as directed by the existing ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit 1: Road Annexation and Vacation List
Exhibit 2: Roads inconsistent with the ordinance
Exhibit 3: Duplicate Roads List
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KITTITAS COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT
STUDY SESSION DATE: July 14, 2025
TOPIC: Bullfrog Road Speed Study
ACTION REQUESTED: Direct staff regarding setting a Public Hearing to
receive the Engineer's Report on the Request for
Speed Reduction on Bullfrog Road.
LEAD STAFF:
Cameron Curtis
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff regarding setting a Public Hearing for the Speed Reduction Request on
Bullfrog Road.
BRIEFING SUMMARY:
• Kittitas County Staff investigated a change to the speed limit on Bullfrog Road
from MP 0.00 to MP 0.72 from 35 MPH to 50 MPH.
• Initial Screening Criteria was completed in June of 2025. The project scored 37
points out of a possible 60 point maximum.
• Traffic Tubes were deployed on June 18, 2025, and were in place until June 25,
2025.
BACKGROUND:
Responding to a County Staff inquiry into increasing the posted speed on Bullfrog Road
from 35 MPH to 50 MPH, Public Works began by completing the initial screening
criteria. The inquiry indicated that the speed limit on the road is rarely followed.
Conforming to Board direction in July of 2024, Public Works only preceded to collect
physical data after confirming the request met the initial screening criteria. On June 18,
2025, traffic tubes were deployed, and traffic data was collected at mile post 0.23. An
Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 4,223 vehicles was measured, 20 percent of which was
truck traffic. 85th percentile speed at this location was measured as 50.3 MPH
respectively.
DISCUSSION:
Initial Scoring Criteria is based on six categories scored from 1 to 10. The scoring and a
short description of each category can be found on the attached Scoring Criteria Sheet
(Exhibit 1).
An evaluation of road geometry indicated both horizontal curves meet design criteria for
a 50 MPH road. The design speed of the curves are 50 mph and 52 mph. Road width,
grade, and shoulders all support an increase in posted speed.
Existing Speed data from Public Works' standard traffic counts in 2022 and 2024 show
an 85 h percentile speed of 46.10 MPH and 50.30 MPH respectively.
There are residential and commercial developments along Bullfrog Road,however the
access points are not within the road segment in question. The road segment in question
has very few access points, and no single-family driveway accesses.
Public Works notes I reported crash in the last 5 years. Additionally, Ordinance No. 93-
14 indicates the speed limit was initially lowered in this section of the road due to the
poor condition of the bridge deck. The bridge deck condition has been repaired and the
initial concern prompting the speed change is no longer a concern.
The Sheriff's Office provided comments on the request indicating that there's a
noticeable number of people maintaining speeds of 50+ MPH and that the 35 MPH
section is regularly ignored. The Sheriff's office is in moderate support of the adjustment.
The speed study was initiated by County Staff inquiry and therefore has no community
support or opposition submitted at this time. A Public Notice of hearing will be posted,
notifying the public more directly if a Public Hearing is set.
The speed study resulted in an 85 h percentile speed of 50.30 MPH at mile post 0.23. This
is well above the posted speed limit and warrants consideration of an increase in the
posted speed.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit 1: Initial Screening Criteria
Exhibit 2: Speed Study Results.
Exhibit 1: Initial Screening Criteria
��OpgCADES...TO TTf£,OLG 3KX.r 1 J.'r2LS C;-C>V Zs i. i.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Ki,TiT.nscou�,v SPEED LIMIT PETITION: ENGINEERING AND RECOMMENDATION FORM
ff LOCATION Bullfrog Rd MP 0.00 to MP 0.72 SCORE 37
Evaluation
Item Points Comments Points
Road Geometry There are no vertical curves on this section of road. There
(Horizontal and 1-10 are two horizontal curves. Horizontal curves have design 8
Vertical) speeds of 50 mph and 52 mph respectively.
Per 2022 and 2024 traffic studies the 85th percentile
Existing Speed Data 1-10 average speed is 46.10 and.50.3 respectively. Federal 8
guidelines suggest setting the speed limit within 5 mph of
the 85th percentile speed.
Residential and recreational development along Bullfrog
Change in Land Use Road continues to grow. ADT has grown from 3507
within the Immediate 1-10 vehicles in 2018 to 3687 vehicles in 2022. Despite this 5
Vicinity growth, very few additional access points have been
introduced or proposed.No changes in the area of interest.
1 traffic accident in the last 5 years within the study
Public Works Safety section. Speed was reduced by Ordinance No. 93-14 due
I-10 to bridge deck deterioration. 35 mph was to be in place 8
Concern until repairs had been made. Bridge deck repairs were
completed and are not a factor.
The Sheriff s office notes that there are a noticeable
Sheriff's Office 1-10 number of people maintaining speeds of 50+MPH and 7
Safety Concern that the 35 MPH zone is regularly ignored. They are
initially in moderate support of the adjustment.
Community Support 1-10 County Staff recommended. There has been no I
community support received.
411 N. Ruby St,Suite#1 TEL (509)962-7523
Ellensburg,WA 98926 FAX (509)962-7663
Dept.of Public Works
Page 2
Engineer The request scored 37 of the 35 points required to pursue a Speed Study. Public
Recommendation works believes a Speed Study would result in the engineering judgment required
to recommend a change in speed.
Date and Signature - ZI
L
rj
Note: A high score supports the petition. 35 points is typically needed for recommendation. 60
point maximum.
411 N.Ruby St,Suite#1 TEL (509)962-7523
Ellensburg,WA 98926 FAX (509)962-7663
Exhibit 2: Speed Study Results
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