Laserfiche WebLink
On July 22, 2020 Public Works (PW) received a request to study Lyons Road speeds between Wilson <br />Creek and Naneum Roads. Twenty-eight area residents signed the request (EXHIBIT 1). Responding <br />to the request, PW set speed counters out for a one-week period (07/31 — 08/07/2020). Speed study <br />results are provided as EXHIBIT 2. In addition to collecting speed data, PW dispatched our Engineer <br />in Training to evaluate vertical curves in the road segment for conformance to national sight distance <br />design standards. Existing lane widths are minimally impacted by four short span bridges. Petitioners <br />cite walking and bicycle riding as risky activities owing to the 50 MPH speed. Agricultural use and <br />house proximity to the road are also listed as being reasons for speed concern. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Public Works' evaluation of roadway geometrics (vertical curves) affirms appropriate design <br />conformance to national standards of engineering practice (50 MPH design speed). 85' percentile <br />speeds in both directions (east and west) are within acceptable performance limits given the current 50 <br />MPH speed limit. Twenty-eight approaches in 1.49 miles translates to one approach every 280 feet. <br />The travel way encroachments from the four short span bridges is noticeable at speed. The density of <br />access locations translates to one access every four seconds at 50 MPH. While 85u percentile speeds <br />affirm roadway design geometrics, the access density and narrow roadway with minimal shoulders — <br />coupled with increasing urbanization proximate to the City of Ellensburg, create conditions arguably <br />supporting area resident concerns for safety of pedestrian traffic. Lyons Road is representative of <br />most county roads: narrow lanes with a minimal road shoulder. The vast majority of rural Kittitas <br />County Roads do not support pedestrian traffic coupled with high volumes of traffic. This is a result <br />of County roads generally serving a rural population. Urbanization increases population driving land <br />development resulting in increased traffic on County roads. Lyons Road is operating at the upper end <br />of our accepted service level for rural road operation. Our most recent twenty year transportation plan <br />does not forecast Lyons Road as breaking accepted levels of service in the next twenty years. <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />Posting the new 35 MPH speed signs is expected to cost in the range of $2,000. Public Works <br />budgets for this activity annually in our road maintenance budget. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />EXHIBIT 1: Request for speed reduction <br />EXHIBIT 2: Speed study results <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENGINEER'S REPORT <br />