Pasco City Council members unanimously agreed Monday to adjust the speed limit in several locations on Burden Boulevard and Sandifur Parkway.
Commercial and residential growth and the resulting traffic congestion have led to the changes, according to staff reports to council.
The speed on Burden will drop to 35 mph from 40 mph between Convention Place and Road 60, and increase by 5 mph to 40 mph between roads 44 and 36.
On Sandifur, the posted speed will bump up 10 mph to 35 mph from Road 44 west to Road 60.
The new signs could be in place by the start of next week.
Mayor Matt Watkins said Monday that he and Councilman Saul Martinez had earlier expressed concerns about the Burden Boulevard changes, but said they were satisfied with the recommendation after reviewing a report by City Engineer Michael Pawlak.
Pasco staff said the change along Burden is needed because of rapid subdivision and commercial development and "a change in the character of the roadway over the past few months." The adjusted speeds will make it more consistent with the existing posted speeds to the east and west on Burden, staff said.
A speed study done in August revealed to city engineers that a good number of motorists typically drive 43 mph on Burden. Engineers also reviewed crash history along the road and found the majority are rear-end crashes due to a lack of left turn lanes.
City staff reported that the 5 mph increase between roads 44 and 36 "is not expected to worsen the traffic safety in the area."
However, at the bottom of the hill where Burden turns into Road 36, crews will supplement the existing curve sign and 25 mph advisory with V-shaped patterns and reflective pavement markers to enhance safety.
The same speed study was done on Sandifur in August, and it found that the average speed is around 38 mph where motorists are only supposed to be traveling 25 mph.
City staff said the increase to 35 mph is appropriate between roads 44 and 60 because an engineering and traffic investigation showed the current speed "is less than is necessary for safe operation of vehicles."
Also Monday:
-- The council adopted the Pasco Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan, which addresses facilities, provides an action plan for improving travel and looks at costs and potential funding sources for implementation.
It includes a review of safe bike travel on Road 68 north of Argent Road, and an additional route from Court Street north on 24th Avenue to Pearl Street and on to 20th Avenue for people who walk or ride their bikes to Columbia Basin College.
-- Kristin M. Kraemer: 582-1531; kkraemer@tricityherald.com
