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Kittitas County Transportation Element 2oa.8 <br />2.2 OPPORTUNITIES AND <br />CHALLENGES <br />Kittitas County has several important challenges to <br />face over the next 20 years to offer a functional <br />transportation system that provides safe mobility <br />and accommodates both local and regional growth <br />i NETWORK CONNECTIVITY <br />Barriers to Mobility <br />Kittitas County faces several barriers that increase <br />congestion and can lead to chokepoints in the <br />transportation network. These barriers include the <br />low number of alternative routes across the county, <br />limited railroad and stream crossings, and areas <br />where terrain hinders the creation of new network <br />connections. This plan seeks to support commerce <br />and recreation through efficient connections. <br />Projects that add route options, aid in emergency <br />response and evacuation, and reduce <br />chokepoints/barriers to mobility should be <br />prioritized. <br />Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure <br />Sidewalks are generally available in Central <br />Ellensburg, Cie Elum, and Roslyn, although there are <br />some missing links and often no sidewalks in <br />outlying areas. Ellensburg also has an existing bicycle <br />network, however, the network does not provide <br />much in the way of separation between modes and <br />has missing links. The unincorporated towns and <br />more rural areas are missing sidewalks and bicycle <br />facilities, which can inhibit the mobility of citizens <br />and lead to increased vehicle use when a walking or <br />biking trip would otherwise be preferable. The <br />project list should include projects that <br />accommodate safe and enjoyable travel by those <br />choosing to walk or bike, including recreational <br />users. <br />Transit <br />Since population centers are distant from one <br />another, enhanced bus service could provide <br />significant mobility. The County coordinates with <br />and encourages transit usage and service to help <br />residents, employees, and visitors reach their <br />destinations. The County is looking to integrate <br />transit into the regional transportation network. Its <br />goal is to accommodate and complement fixed route <br />networks outside of the UGAs as opportunities <br />12 Kittitas County Road Safety Plan 2017 <br />present themselves. Service that is coordinated <br />amongst the cities, as well as more frequent service <br />with a larger coverage area could increase usage of <br />the transit system and improve mobility. <br />IZI*f ol►T1t�T:ti7irrr�: <br />Regional development will play a role in the growing <br />demands on Kittitas County's transportation <br />network by 2038, The County is expected to <br />continue adding residents and jobs. This growth will <br />add traffic to Kittitas County's roads and could <br />impact quality of life for county residents. Limited <br />water availability on buildable lands limits growth to <br />areas that already have development, which further <br />concentrates traffic in developed areas. To improve <br />mobility and connectivity to the rest of the region, <br />the County should facilitate active partnerships with <br />regional partners and stakeholders, such as WSDOT, <br />QUADCO, and the cities. This coordination will <br />ensure that Kittitas County residents, employees, <br />and visitors continue to have a good experience on <br />the transportation network. <br />SAFETY <br />Between 2011 and 2015, Kittitas County had five <br />traffic collision fatalities and twenty-one serious <br />injury collisions12. While this is comparable to injury <br />rates on other public roads in the state, there is <br />always room for improvement in safety. Ensuring <br />that there are safe routes for evacuation and <br />emergency response vehicles is also extremely <br />important. <br />This plan includes as its number one goal to provide <br />safe connections for all users. Implementation of <br />countermeasures should be considered, as <br />appropriate, at locations with high incidence of more <br />severe collisions, and at locations that improve <br />emergency response. <br />FUNDING <br />Kittitas County, as with all jurisdictions, faces issues <br />with how to fund improvements to the <br />transportation network. Alternative sources of <br />funding, such as grants and private dollars, should be <br />explored to augment system funds and increase <br />investment in transportation infrastructure. <br />Moreover, this plan includes a goal to reliably fund <br />35�Page <br />