Lacey is proposing to reduce speed limits on four streets recently annexed
The city of Lacey is considering reducing speeds on four streets to make speeds more consistent.
The city of Lacey’s Transportation Committee recently reviewed some of the speed-reduction proposals that are set to come before Lacey City Council for a vote on Thursday.
Lacey’s proposals are in response to some recent annexations of unincorporated areas of Thurston County that had speed limits higher than those typically found in the city. There also is a desire for consistency of speeds, interim City Manager Rick Walk told the committee.
Council members Robin Vazquez, Michael Steadman and Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller serve on the committee.
The areas under consideration:
▪ Lake Lois/Pacific Avenue annexation: Pacific Avenue in Lacey has always had a 35 miles per hour speed limit, but the county had it at 40 mph in a section annexed by the city, Transportation Manager Martin Hoppe told the committee. The recommendation is to reduce that section to 35 mph as well, he said. Kinwood Street, which was part of the annexation, will stay at 35 mph, Hoppe said.
▪ College Street Northeast extension: The city plans to eventually extend College Street from Sixth Avenue Northeast to 15th Avenue Northeast. Once it does, the city wants the extended area to have the same speed limit as the rest of the street: 35 mph.
▪ Steilacoom/Marvin Road annexation: The city is recommending no change to speed limits in this area because Marvin Road and Steilacoom Road are already set at 35 mph.
▪ Martin Way and Britton Parkway: Both Martin Way within the city and Britton Parkway from Marvin Road Northeast to Carpenter Road Northeast currently are set at 40 miles per hour, but the city would like to lower that to 35 mph.
Council member Vazquez was supportive of the reduction.
“As we put more people and housing on a street (Britton Parkway), it shouldn’t feel like a highway,” she said. As for lowering speeds on Martin Way, it “might make it a little more inviting for people who aren’t in a car.”
Deputy Mayor Miller was not in favor of reducing the speed on Britton Parkway.
“I like the 40 miles per hour on Britton Parkway, but with more development on the way I understand the concerns, I really do,” he said.
Martin Way is a major corridor that touches Olympia, Lacey and Thurston County. It was pointed out during the meeting that if Lacey reduces its Martin Way speeds to 35 miles per hour, the street will feature alternating speeds through Lacey and the county. Sometimes it will be 35 mph and sometimes 40 mph.
The council members and city officials agreed that needs to be addressed.
“We will have to come together with the county and agree on a speed,” said Transportation Manager Hoppe.
