2020-05-11-minutes-public-works-study-session

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> Cc: Mark Cook <mark.cook@co.kittitas.wa.us>; Candie Leader<candie.leader@co. kittitas.wa.us> > Subject: FW: Cove Road Speed Limits - DO NOT REPLY TO ALL > Public Works - Would you mind reaching out to them? Thank you! > -----Original Message----- > From: Holly English <englishh66@gmail.com> > Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2020 2:08 PM > To: Kittitas County Commissioners Office <bocc@co.kittitas.wa.us> > Subject: Cove Road Speed Limits > Dear BOCC, > We are writing out of concern regarding speed limits on Cove Rd., following the recent fatality at Cove and Hanson Roads. We live on the section of Cove Rd. between the intersections of Hanson and Manastash Roads. We have been concerned about the 50 mph speed limit for a long time, and were surprised the speed limit was not adjusted to 35 mph when Manastash Rd. speed limits were reduced a few years back. There are several reasons that we and other neighbors think that the section of Cove Rd. between Hanson and Manastash should be reduced to 35 mph: > -The intersection of Hanson and Cove has a history of accidents. I believe this is due to a combination of speed and poor site distance. Vegetation along the road has been poorly managed at the intersection and obscures site distance when pulling onto Cove Rd. from the stop signs on Hanson. A transition from 50 to 35 when approaching this intersection traveling southbound would improve safety at this intersection, as well as better veg mgmt. > -This section of Cove is proximate to the most popular trailhead in the valley: the Manastash Trailhead at the terminus of Cove. Rd. Thus, there is a lot of neighborhood foot, bike, and horse traffic along Cove down to the trailhead. Year round, particularly during the mornings and evenings weekdays, and all day on the weekends, you will see residents walking, jogging, pushing strollers, walking dogs, kids riding bikes, and horseback riders traveling down to the trailhead along this section of road. The road lacks much of a shoulder. > -An increase in density over the last ten years has resulting in more driveways and cars accessing this section of Cove Rd., increasing traffic in the area. > -Manastash Creek transects Cove Rd. In this section. The creek is essentially a wildlife movement corridor. We have a ton of deer in this area and deer/car collisions. I have no raw data, but I have lived in my house for fourteen years, and have witnessed a lot of carnage. We need a "Caution: Deer" sign on either side of the creek. > We would like to propose a reduction in speed limits for the section of Cove Rd. between Hanson and Manastash from 50 mph to 35 mph for the reasons listed above. Residents, pets and wildlife will all be safer! Please let us know how we can further engage the County on this proposal. > Sincerely, > James Repsher and Holly English > Robert and Kelly Pritchett > Cove Rd. Residents