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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConductPHUmptanumRoadKITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AGENDA DATE: ACTION REQUESTED: AGENDA STAFF REPORT February 19, 2019 Conduct a Public Hearing to consider a potential Speed Limit Reduction on Umptanum Road and Amending Sections 10.08.020 and 10.08.030 of Kittitas County Code. BACKGROUND: The Public Works Department received a request to reduce the speed limit on Umptanum Road from MP 0.75 to MP 2.68 due to safety concerns resulting from increased traffic. Changing the speed limit from 50 MPH to 35 MPH requires changes to code sections: 10.08.020 (35 MPH) and 10.08.030 (50 MPH). INTERACTION: Public Works RECOMMENDATION: Maintain the current existing speed of 50 MPH from MP 0.75 to MP 2.68. HANDLING: Return a Signed Ordinance to Public Works, providing the Board elects to lower the speed limit on Umptanum Road. ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance Engineer's Report; Vicinity Map; Speed Study Results. LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook, Director/County Road Engineer KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENGINEER'S REPORT — UMPTANUM ROAD SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION REQUEST PUBLIC HEARING DATE FEBRUARY 19, 2019 ACTION REQUESTED CONSIDER REDUCING THE POSTED SPEED FROM 50 MPH TO 35 MPH LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook, Public Works Director/County Engineer RECOMMENDATION: Maintain the existing speed along Umptanum Road from MP 0.75 to MP 2.68. BACKGROUND: Currently the speed limit along Umptanum Road from MP 0.75 to Riverbottom Road (MP 2.68) is 50 MPH, at which it transitions to 35 MPH. Two county residents requested a speed reduction in this road segment in October 2018 (EXHIBIT 1). Public Works staff conducted a speed study in late fall of 2018 and recently produced results of the study for evaluation (EXHIBIT 2). DISCUSSION: A variety of factors must be considered when determining safe and reasonable speed limits. The prevailing speed is a major consideration in setting speed limits. Engineers recommend setting speed limits so that 85% of the freely flowing traffic travels at or below that speed (the 85th percentile). Guidance is provided in MUTCD 2B.13 (EXHIBIT 3), recommending posted speed limits to be set "within 5 mph of the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic." 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. The requested speed reduction along Umptanum Road (MP 0.75 to MP 2.68) does not appear to be supported by the results of the speed study. Umptanum drivers are generally doing the posted speed (49.5, 49.2 and 51.2 MPH). Drivers along Manastash are exceeding at MP 0.0 to MP 0.74 (56/50 MPH). Riverbottom drivers are matching the posted 35 MPH speed MP 0.0 to 1.83: (33.2/35 MPH) and MP 1.83 to 3.06: (34.5/35 MPH). The vast majority of drivers are driving at the 85th percentile or within 5 MPH of the speed of free flowing traffic. Several property damage accidents along Umptanum Road have occurred since 2015: 9 citing various reasons (EXHIBIT 2). Two injury accidents along Manastash Road citing inattention have occurred in the same time period. Two property damage accidents along Riverbottom Road have taken place owing to "unknown driver distraction". Page 1 of 5 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENGINEER'S REPORT A companion request to stop control Southbound and Northbound Umptanum Road at Manastash Road was missed by Public Works staff and will require a separate public hearing to address the request. FISCAL IMPACTS: The cost of re -posting Umptanum Road to 35 MPH is expected not to exceed $2,000.00. ATTACHMENTS: EXHIBIT 1: Speed Study Request EXHIBIT 2: 2019 TRAFFIC STUDY DATA — Umptanum Road EXHIBIT 3: 2009 MUTCD, SECTION 2B.13 Page 2 of 5 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENGINEER'S REPORT EXHIBIT 1: SPEED STUDY REQUEST Page 3 of 5 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENGINEER'S REPORT Candie Leader From: Candie Leader Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 7:41 AM To: Mark Cook Subject: FW: Speed limit and 4 -way stop Administrative Assistant Kittitas County Department of Public Works 411 North Ruby Street, Suite 1 Ellensburg, WA 98926 509-962-7699 From: Louise Acheson fmailto:achesonl2Ccaoma1l.comj Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2018 4:52 PM To: Candie Leader Subject: Speed limit and 4 -way stop To: Public works director Mark Cook From: Rob and Louise Acheson Re: Speed limit and 4 -way stop Dear Sir: We are requesting a speed limit reduction on the Umtanum Road from just under the freeway where the speed limit going south begins to be 50m.p.h. to the entrance of Shushuskin Canyon a distance of about 2 1/4 miles. We would hope it could be reduced to 35m.p.h. The 50m.p.b. is excessive for all but about 1/4 mile of this stretch. There are more homes, bikers, walkers, children, pets and traffic coming and going to Irene Rinehart Park and the river access by the bridge than there was when the speed limit was raised about 25 years ago. We further request a 4 way stop at the interesection of Manastash/ Riverbottom/Umtanum Roads at the Damman School. Our observation have shown us drivers at that intersection and the whole stretch to be careless and disregard both the speed limit and the stop signs. If the 35 could continue on up the canyon as well it would be good. Because 50m.p.h. is dangerous there as well. EXHIBIT 2: 2019 TRAFFIC STUDY DATA — UMPTANUM ROAD Page 4 of 5 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENGINEER'S REPORT § k ,| �\ �5k$ � !\ § WO §{ § 2 ! E§!K_§ a \�■)(00 ,| � !\ ;!!!ll.,,lF;l,!l;��l;•., m. Re•a,!lR,�!§#raa.a, !!!;r! �:! 1==:l, ._! ,!! ;•_ ;!, !.l:,! !!! ! }� 2 ` 4 } )) _- � \�.ggm@uma;� w#2 wG±GemRg EXHIBIT 3: 2009 MUTCD, SECTION 2B.13 Page Ss 2009 Edition Guidance: 09 A Rcduced Speed Lirrrr Alicad t 11? -5 of ll'3-5ai sign (sec Sectio)) 2C.: S :�:,;•; +and users of reduced speed zone ulicic the speed limit is being reduced by n:cc: ' _ _ r e ngmecrrni Jndgmcnt b)"heares the need folaei anee notice to coniph u irh the vowed 5Pcr,i .. se States and local agencies should conduct engineering studies ro ree(nluate non -statutory speed limits on segn)ents of their roadways Thar hmr undergone sign rnr)r rlmnges since the last ?clew. such ns rile addition or rlinunation ofpa)"king or dui nmiil's, rhanges in tire number of travel lanes, changes in the co> figrnnrion of bicycle hues. chrnges in n'affc Control signal coordination. or sig+nifirnnt changes in traffic rohnnes. is \o more than *in cc speed limirs should be displaved on ang one Speed Lunir sign w' assemble. n A'hen a speed limn a ithin a speed done is posted. it should be s, u1sin 5 niph of the SS"' percentile speed of free-fiou ing traffic. +3 Spred studies far signalized intersection approaches should be taken outside the influence arra of the traffic conal signal. Onch is generally consideicd ro be approvi+nareA.1 ? mile. to avoid obtaining skewed results fa - the S5" percentile speed. Support: ,a Advance «"rising signs and other traffic control devices to attract the motorists attention to a ssgiahzed intersection are usually more effective than a reduced speed limit zone. Guidance: S An r&lsorl' speed .plaque (see Section 2C.O8+ mounted belolr a um"ning sign should be used to unin gond users of an adwsw.r Spced for a roadway condition. A Spred Lunir sign should nor be used fw'this situation. Option: it Other factors that may be considered afien establishing or reevaluating speed limits are the folli n aig A. Road characteristics. shoulder condition. grade. alignment. and sight distance: B. The pace: C. Roadside development and enrrronnnent. D. Paitnig piaeuces wd pedestriiti activity: and E. Reported crash experience for at least a 12 -month period. a Itvo types of Speed Limit signs may be used: one to designate passenger car speeds, including any nighttime utforntation in nunimuni speed limit that might apply: and the other to show any special speed hnuts for trucks and other vehicles. se A changeable Message sign that changes the speed haat for traffic and annbient conditions may be installed provided that the appropriate speed limit is displayed at the proper tines. m A changeable message sign that displays to approaching drivers the speed at which they are traveling may be installed in conjunction With a Speed Limit sign. Guidance: ro If a cismngerble inessege sign displaving approach speeds is wsmllcd. the legend FOUR SPEED n MPH or such similar legend should be displayed. The rola' of the changeable nessage legend should be a yrllos, legend on a black brckgrwmd or The res else of these coloi"s. Support: a, Advisory Speed Was and plaques are discussed in Sections 'C.OS and 2C.14. Temporary Traffic Control Zone Speed signs are discussed in Par 6. The WORK ZONE (G20-5aP) plaque upended for installation above a Speed Lnut sign is disenssed in Section 6F.12. School Speed Emit signs are discussed in Section 78.15. Section 2B.14 Truck Bleed 1-li nit Plaque tR2-2Pn Standard: m ll'liere a special speed limit applies to trucks or other vehicles, the legend TRUCKS Ka or such similar legend shall be displayed below the legend Speed Limit S -i- on the same sign or on a separate R2-21) plaque (see Figure 2133) below the standard legend. Section 2B.15 Night Spee 1 Lonak Paque (R')-3Pt Standard: Rltere different speed limits are prescribed for day and night. both limits shall be poste& sea, 21113 m:B Is December M Page 5 of 5 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENGINEER'S REPORT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSII COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON ORDINANCE No. 2019 - ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPEED ZONE AND THE PLACEMENT OF SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ON UMPTANUM ROAD AND AMENDING SECTION 10.08.010 AND 10.08.020 OF THE KITTITAS COUNTY CODE WHEREAS: Kittitas County manages roadway speed limits in County Code at Title 10; and WHEREAS: Changing a speed limit (50 MPH to 35 MPH) on a County Roadway requires amending Sections 10.08.020 and 10.08.030; and WHEREAS: Kittitas County has determined that 35 miles per hour is an appropriate speed limit for Umptanum Road from the City limits of Ellensburg to Mile Post 9.3 based on an engineering recommendation requesting to lower the speed limit due to increasing vehicular traffic and non -motorized use of the roadway; and WHEREAS: Kittitas County has determined that 35 mile per hour speed limit signs would improve safety at this location for vehicle and non -vehicular traffic; and WHEREAS: The Board of Kittitas County Commissioners did hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 2:00 pm to hear public testimony regarding the establishment of a speed zone and placement of speed limit signs on the above listed road; and 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 Umptanum Road from the City of Ellensburg city limits to Mile Post 9.3 and authorizes the placement of speed limit signs at the above stated locations and amending Kittitas County Code Section 10.08.020 and 10.08.030 as indicated in Exhibit A. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED That this ordinance will become effective upon the installation of the appropriate signs. ADOPTED this 19th day of February, 2019. Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik ❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Cory Wright, Chairman Brett Wachsmith, Vice -Chairman Laura Osiadacz, Commissioner i9 0 MP 0.75 m Ja��R�N FROPO� BROWN RD ydkir7Ja River ❑ �� Z SPEED KLIMIT m 35 MANA qSH RD RIVERBOTTOM RD ❑ Q❑ K J W Umptanum Rd Vicinity nN ❑ tr z Q F SPEED LIMIT 35 �I • RIVERBOTTOM RD 1 i MP 2.68 Legend aaaaee Umptanum RE All Roads —Water Courses (Name Evert-PNWHF) Ownednetl By �ELLENSBURG O = KITTITAS COUNTY W G PRIVATE J O WSDOT K F ❑ 0 �� EXHIBIT A Kittitas County Code Section 10.08.030 SPEED LIMITS ON COUNTY ROADS Chapter 10.08 SPEED LIMITS ON COUNTY ROADS Sections 10.08.010 Twenty-five miles per hour. 10.08.015 Thirty miles per hour. 10.08.020 Thirty-five miles per hour. 10.08.025 Forty miles per hour. 10.08.030 Fifty miles per hour. 10.08.040 School safety zones - Twenty miles per hour. 10.08.045 Twenty miles per hour. 10.08.050 Construction zones - Twenty five miles per hour. 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. • Carroll 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 Cie 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 from Cove Road at milepost 3.56 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. • Nelson Siding Road, entire road. • No. 81 Road, from Alpine Drive 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. • Reecer Creek 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. • Tozer Road, entire road. • Umptanum Road, from Ellensburg City Limits 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 Cie 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. 2018-017, 2018; Ord. 2017-008, 2017; Ord. 2017-003, 2017; Ord. 2016-018, 2016; Ord. 2016- 015, 2016; Ord. 2016-011, 2016; 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. RID -71-78,1978; Res. RID -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 and Ord. 2018-017.