HomeMy WebLinkAboutHold PH to consider lowering speed limit on Reecer Creek RdKITTITAS COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
PUBLIC HEARING STAFF REPORT
AGENDA DATE: June 7, 2016
ACTION REQUESTED: Conduct a public hearing to discuss lowering the
speed limit on Reecer Creek Road from MP 0.76 at
Bender Road to MP 1.25 at Bowers Road.
BACKGROUND: Public Works received a speed reduction request from
Keith Gorze of #33101 Reecer Creek Road to lower
the speed limit from 50 mph to 35 mph on the section
of Reecer Creek Road from Bender Rd to Bowers Rd
due to increased development in the area.
INTERACTION: Public Works
RECOMMENDATION: Move to approve, by Board signature, an ordinance
for the establishment of speed zones and the
placement of speed limit signs as shown in the
Engineer's Report and amending section 10.08.025 of
the Kittitas County Code.
HANDLING: Return one signed copy to Public Works
ATTACHMENTS: Engineer's Report
Vicinity Map
Proposed Ordinance
LEAD STAFF: Maria Fischer, Engineering Technician I
KITTT rAS COUNTY
KZTTZTAs COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
ENGINEER'S REPORT
REQUEST TO REVISE SPEED LIMIT
Reecer Creek Road
Public Works has received a request to reduce the speed limit on Reecer Creek Road from 50 mph
to 35 mph from MP 0.76 at Bender Road north to beyond Bowers Road at MP 1.25. The traffic data
collected for this request is summarized in the attached table.
It is important to understand that reducing the posted seed limit may actually reduce the safety for
travelers on that road if the new speed is below the 85t percentile speed.
The speed limits on county roads are 50 mph unless otherwise posted. This is the speed limit
persons expect to drive on county roads in rural areas unless conditions or hazards require reduced
speeds.
Regulatory Requirements
In accordance with Kittitas County Code 10.08 Speed Limits on County Roads, the Board of County
Commissioners approves and adopts the establishment of speed limits on county roads. The
applicable Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is as follows:
RCW 46.61.415(2)
Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions shall determine by an engineering and traffic
investigation the proper maximum speed for all arterial streets and shall declare a reasonable and
safe maximum limit thereon which may be greater or less than the maximum speed permitted under
RCW 46.61.400(2) but shall not exceed sixty miles per hour.
RCW 46.61.400(2)
Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with subsection (1) of
this section, the limits specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized shall be
maximum lawful speeds, and no person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed in excess of
such maximum limits.
(a) Twenty-five miles per hour on city and town streets;
(b) Fifty miles per hour on county roads,
(c) Sixty miles per hour on state highways.
The maximum speed limits set forth in this section may be altered as authorized in RCW 46.61.405,
46.61.410, and 46.61.415.
RCW 46.61.400(3)
The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of subsection (1) of this
section, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection
or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill
crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazard exists with
respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.
411 North Ruby, Suite 1 TEL (509) 962-7523
Ellensburg, WA 98926 FAX (509) 962-7663
Dept. of Public Works
Page 2
Engineering and Traffic Investigation
A variety of factors are considered when determining safe and reasonable speed limits. The
prevailing speed is a major consideration in setting speed limits. Engineers recommend setting
limits where 85% of the freely flowing traffic travels at or below that speed (the 85t" percentile).
Another consideration is the highest safe speed for which the road was designed. This takes into
account road type, road geometry, and adjacent land use. Other factors include presence of non
vehicular road users, driver or vehicle characteristics, enforcement capability, and public attitudes.
A full engineering investigation is conducted for those roads that are scheduled for a public hearing
and includes:
1. ROAD TYPE: Date adopted on County Road System, location, type of road, and map.
2. MAINTENANCE: Revenue source for road maintenance.
3. VEHICLE SPEEDS: Speed study results.
4. NUMBER OF VEHICLES: Traffic volume data.
5. COLLISIONS: Collision data.
6. ROAD IMPROVEMENTS: Record of improvements and design speed.
7. PREVIOUS REQUESTS FOR SPEED LIMIT CHANGES: Other requests for same road.
Recommendation
Properties north of Bender Road, on both the east and west sides of Reecer Creek Road,
totaling 249 acres, have been platted into 699 residential lots. Traffic will increase within the
next few years. In the last seven years there have been 3 injury accidents and 7 property
damage accidents.
Lowering the speed limit at this time would be a prudent move.
411 North Ruby, Suite 1 TEL (509) 962-7523
Ellensburg, WA 98926 FAX (509) 962-7663
Dept. of Public Works
Page 3
EXHIBIT A— SPEED STUDY TABLE
411 North Ruby, Suite 1 TEL (509) 962-7523
Ellensburg, WA 98926 FAX (509) 962-7663
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE No. 2016 -
ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPEED ZONE AND THE PLACEMENT OF SPEED LIMIT
SIGNS
ON REECER CREEK ROAD AND AMENDING SECTION 10.08.020 OF THE KITTITAS
COUNTY CODE
WHEREAS: Kittitas County has determined that 35 miles per hour is an appropriate speed limit
for Reecer Creek Road from Mile Post 0.76 at Bender to Mile Post 1.25 at Bowers
Road Road, based on traffic speeds, volumes and increased development in the area;
and
WHEREAS: Kittitas County has determined that 35 mile per hour speed limit signs would
improve safety at this location; and
WHEREAS: The Board of Kittitas County Commissioners did hold a public hearing on Tuesday,
June 7, 2016 to hear public testimony regarding the establishment of a speed zone
and placement of speed limit signs on the above listed road.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED That the Kittitas County Board of County
Commissioners, after due deliberation and in the best interest of the public, does hereby establish a
35 mph speed limit on Reecer Creek Road from Mile Post 0.76 at Bender Road to Mile Post 1.25 at
Bowers Road; and authorizes the placement of speed limit signs at the above stated locations and
amending Kittitas County Code Section 10.08.020 as indicated in Exhibit A.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED That this ordinance will become effective upon the installation of
the appropriate signs.
ADOPTED this day of 2016.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Obie O'Brien, Chairman
Attest:
❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik
Paul Jewell, Vice -Chairman
❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz
Laura Osiadacz, Commissioner
EXHIBIT A
Kittitas County Code Section 10.08.020 SPEED LIMITS ON COUNTY ROADS
10.08.020 Thirty-five miles per hour.
The following roads or portions thereof shall have a maximum speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour:
• Airport Road (Cle Elum), entire road.
• Airport Road (Ellensburg), from Ellensburg city limits to Bowers Road.
• Anderson Road, from Umptanum Road to Ellensburg city limits.
• Ballard Hill Road, entire road.
• Bender Road, from Reecer Creek Road to Ellensburg city limits.
• Bettas Road, entire road.
• Bowers Road, from Reecer Creek Road to Airport Road.
• Brick Mill Road, from Naneum Road to Fairview Road.
• Brick Road, from milepost 0.624 to Sanders Rd.
• Brown Road, Hanson Road to Barnes Road intersection.
• Bull Road, from Ellensburg city limits south to cul de sac.
• Bullfrog Road, milepost 0.0, I-90 to milepost .72.
• Cabin Creek Road, from Hiline Canal to end of Kittitas County portion, milepost 2.92.
• Caribou Road, entire road.
• Cassasa Road, entire road.
• Chandler Road, entire road.
• Clarke Road, from US 97 to Lower Green Canyon Road.
• Cove Road, from Thorp Highway to Robinson Canyon Road.
• Durr Road, entire road.
• Dry Creek Road, from Ellensburg city limits to SR 97.
• Faust Road, from MP 0.00 to Bridge #88212.
• Game Farm Road, from Brick Road to Wilson Creek Road.
• Gladmar Road, entire road.
• Golf Course Road, entire road.
• Goodwin Road, First Street to end of road.
• Hanson Road, from Cove Road, west to end of county road.
• Hidden Valley Road, from SR 970 to Emerick Road.
• Horlick Road, entire road.
• Horvatt Road, from SR 903 to Roslyn city limits.
• Hundley Road, entire road.
• Hungry Junction Road from milepost 1.15 to milepost 1.70.
• Judge Ronald Road, entire road.
• Kachess Lake Road, entire road.
• Kittitas Highway, 450 feet west of Fairview Road, milepost 5.30, to 800 feet west of Kittitas
City Limits, milepost 5.49.
• Kittitas Highway, from milepost 1.03 to milepost 1.34.
• Klocke Road, entire road.
• Lake Cle Elum Dam Road, entire road.
• Lambert Road, entire road.
• Ley Road, Swauk Prairie Road to milepost 0.70.
• Liberty Road, from SR 97 to milepost 1.48.
• Lower Peoh Point Road, entire road.
• Main Street (Vantage), from I-90 Interchange to Recreation Drive.
• Manastash Road, milepost 4.31-55 west of Cove Ln to end of road.
• Markovich Road, entire road.
• Masterson Road, entire road.
• McCullough Road, entire road.
• McManamy Cut-off, entire road.
• McManamy Road, entire road.
• Mohar Road, entire road.
• Naneum Road, from Vantage Highway to Watson Road.
• No. 81 Road, from milepost .10 to Vantage Highway.
• O'Neil Road, entire road.
• Pays Road, entire road.
• Pfenning Road, from Vantage Highway to Game Farm Road.
• Railroad Street, from Cabin Creek Road, east to end of road.
• Railroad Street, from west I90 overpass east to Bridge #03112 milepost .83 (Easton).
• Recreation Drive (Vantage), entire road.
ReeceF Creek Read, from JRiYeFSity Way to BeRder Read;
• ReecerCreek Road, from University Way to Bowers Road
• Ringer Loop, entire road.
• Riverbottom Road, from milepost 0.35 to milepost 3.06 (Umptanum Road).
• Salmon La Sac Road, from SR 903 to end.
• Sanders Road, entire road.
• Sisters Road, entire road.
• Sparks Road, entire road.
• Storie Lane, entire road.
• Strande Road, from Barnes Road to Manastash Road.
• Susan Road, entire road.
• Swauk Prairie Road, entire road.
• Talmadge Road, entire road.
• Taneum Road, East, from Thorp Highway to milepost 1.00.
• Taneum Road, West, entire road.
• Thorp Highway, from milepost 5.16, 950 feet south of I-90, to milepost 6.42 (First Street,
Thorp).
• Thorp Highway, milepost 6.90 to Taneum Road, East, milepost 7.69.
• Umptanum Road, from Ellensburg City Limits to milepost 0.75.
• Umptanum Road, from milepost 2.68 to milepost 9.03.
• Upper Peoh Point Road, entire road.
• Vantage Highway, from the Ellensburg city limits to 0.10 east of Pfenning Road.
• Watson Cutoff Road, entire road.
• West Sparks Road, entire road.
• Westside Road, from South Cle Elum City Limits to Golf Course Road.
• Wilson Creek Road, from Vantage Highway to Game Farm Road.
• Woodhouse Loop, entire road.
• Woods & Steele Road, entire road.
• Zrebiec Road, entire road.
(Ord. 2015-008, 2015; Ord. 2014-016, 2014; Ord. 2014-003, 2014; Ord. 2013-007, 2013; Ord. 2012-008,
2012; Ord. 2011-010, 2011;Ord. 2011-008, 2011; Ord. 2007-31, 2007; Ord. 2007-15, 2007; Ord. 2006-52,
2006; Ord. 2006-45, 2006; Ord. 2005-33, 2005; Ord. 2005-28, 2005; Ord. 2003-19, 2003; Ord. 97-15,
1997; Ord. 97-07,1997; Ord. 9613, 1996; Ord. 96-11, 1996; Ord. 96-7, 1996; Ord. 95-12 (part), 1995; Ord.
95-11(A) (part), 1995; Ord. 95-3, 1995; Ord. 94-37 (part), 1994; Ord. 94-34, 1994; Ord. 94-20 (part), 1994;
Ord. 94-6, 1994; Ord. 93-14, 1993; Ord. 93-11 (part), 1993; Ord. 92-21, 1992; Ord. 92-19 (part), 1992;
Ord. 92-15 (part), 1992; Ord. 88-3, 1988; Ord. 87-3, 1987; Ord. 86-2 (part), 1986; Ord. 85-3 § 3 (part),
1985; Ord. 85-2 (part), 1985; Ord. 83-6 (part), 1983; Ord. 83-5, 1983; Ord. 83-4 (part), 1983; Ord. 82-11
(part), 1982; Ord. 82-9 (part), 1982; Ord. 82-6, 1982; Res. DPW77-81, 1981; Res. DPW -59-81, 1981; Res.
DPW -75-80,1980; Res. DPW -71-80,1980; Res. RD -105-79,1979; Res. RD -39-79 (part), 1979; Res. RD -
71 -78, 1978; Res. RD -58-78, 1978; Res. RD -55-78, 1978; Res. RD -79-77, 1977; Res. RD -48-77, 1977; Res.
RD -32-77, 1977; Res. RD -47-75, 1976; Res. RD -85-75, 1975; Res. RD -84-75, 1975; Res. RD -61-75, 1975;
Res. RD -71-73 (part), 1971; Res. RD -473,1973; Res. RD -46-71 (part), 1971).
Publisher's note: Added periods to the end of items to correct scrivener's errors in Ordinance 2014-003.