King County has proposed a possible speed limit reduction to a section of Issaquah Hobart Road Southeast. If adopted the 3.2 mile stretch of road will decrease the speed from 45 mph to 40 mph.
King County is seeking public input about the proposed speed limit. King County Road Services staff will review all comments to determine whether to proceed with the revision and submit a formal notice to the county.
“The road services division’s number-one priority is safety, with the goal of meeting Target Zero (zero fatalities),” said Brent Champaco, King County’s senior community relations planner. “Resources are focused primarily on implementing safety measures and maintaining the roadway network. The county is aware that Issaquah Hobart Road Southeast is over-capacity and needs additional through and turn lanes to alleviate congestion, and has included it in our transportation needs report.”
Due to stagnant congestion and a number of collisions between Issaquah city limits and Mirrormont Blvd. Southeast, combined with concern from local residents, King County has conducted a speed limit evaluation to assess the appropriateness of the current speed limit.
“The study involved on-site observations and measurements, detailed review of past collisions, new traffic volume and speed counts, evaluation of sight distances for intersections and driveways, land use, pedestrian and cyclist activity, on-street parking and other factors,” Champaco said.
After further analysis of the evaluation criteria and the engineering data obtained, a decrease to 40 mph from 45 mph was deemed appropriate between the Issaquah city limits and Mirrormont Blvd. Southeast.
King County’s public comment period regarding the speed limit reduction ends Friday, Feb. 28.
“We are seeking any insight into whether motorists using or living along Issaquah Hobart Road Southeast have had some or no personal experiences relative to safety,” Champaco said. “Have there been near misses when stopping to make a left or right turn into driveways and intersections? Have stopped vehicles limited their ability to see approaching vehicles when leaving driveways or streets? Have motorists failed to slow in the queue behind them and caused a collision? If they perceive there is an issue with safety, what can the county do to make them feel safer?”
If the proposal is approved, the speed limit change is expected to be in place by the end of April.
All questions, comments or concerns can be submitted via email to Brent.Champaco@kingcounty.gov or by phone at 206-477-9094.
For more information go online to www.kingcounty.gov/speedlimitreductions.
