Laserfiche WebLink
During the construction of the Bender Road over the Ellensburg Water Company canal <br />structure in 2025, the permanent barricades on Pioneer Road were removed and replaced <br />with temporary type 3 barricades if Pioneer Road was needed for detour traffic or <br />emergency service vehicles. Currently, temporary barriers are still in place. <br />Residents on Pioneer Road have recently expressed interest in submitting a new petition <br />to request permanently preventing access from Pioneer Road to Bowers Road. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Public Works recognizes the need for a barrier system that can be easily removed in the <br />event the road is needed for detour traffic and for emergency situations. With a <br />permanent barrier in place, Pioneer is effectively a dead-end road without a sufficiently <br />sized turnaround. <br />To address this concern, Public Works intends to install a 30-foot access gate with a key <br />box that emergency services have access to. Emergency services will be able to better <br />serve the community, and Public Works will not need to invest time and resources into <br />the project area every time conditions dictate a change. <br />Public Works also evaluated the removal of the barrier and officially connecting Pioneer <br />Road to Bowers Road. However, the existing road has narrow lanes, lacks any shoulders, <br />and it has an ADT of 231. The change in use would drastically change the experience of <br />residents who live on the road. Current roadways in the area provide sufficient capacity <br />for traffic without the need for Pioneer Road to be open. Based on available capacity and <br />routes during typical conditions, Public Works has identified a gate as the preferred <br />option. Installation of a gate will allow a sufficient level of service to the surrounding <br />area as well as preserving emergency access through Pioneer Road if conditions change. <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />Installing the gate will cost an estimated $11,800 for labor and materials. The Road Fund <br />has capacity for this expense. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />Vicinity Map <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2024 <br />