Date:
Friday, October 13, 2006
Contact:
Dustin Terpening, WSDOT Communications, (360) 661-7903 (Mt. Vernon)
Mark Leth, Traffic Engineer, (206) 819-5391 (Seattle)
BURLINGTON – Tomorrow WSDOT crews will temporarily cover recently installed 60 mph speed limit signs in Burlington. The speed limit will return to 70 mph on I-5 through Burlington north of the Skagit River until the required environmental review process and public comment period are complete. WSDOT posted the lower speed limit on Wednesday, October 11 to enhance safety in the fast growing area.
WSDOT crews were mistakenly directed to install new speed limit signs before engineers completed the environmental review process. WSDOT will cover the signs while staff complete a State Environmental Policy Act review, which includes a 14 day public comment period. WSDOT will consider public comments and could then lower the speed limit or alter the speed limit reduction proposal. WSDOT will invite the public to review and comment on the proposal after required documents are complete. Meanwhile, public comments and questions are welcome. The public should contact Dustin Terpening, WSDOT Communications, terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov or (360)757-5997.
"We regret this oversight and are moving quickly to address it," said Mark Leth, WSDOT traffic engineer. "However, we still believe that the lower speed limit is greatly needed to enhance safety."
Skagit County traffic increased by 19 percent on state highways between 1996 and 2004 as the population grew by approximately 13,000 people. More drivers are using the George Hopper (exit 229) and Highway 20 (exit 230) interchanges. The goal is to enhance safety for drivers passing through Burlington, as well as for those entering and exiting the freeway from interchanges.
WSDOT recently completed speed studies on I-5 and found that people drive I-5 differently than they used to. WSDOT attributes these changes to population growth and development. WSDOT wants to better align the speed limit in Burlington with drivers' speeds and the roadway environment.
When setting speed zones, traffic engineers base decisions on operating speeds, crash history, roadway geometry and land use.
For more detailed information on how WSDOT sets speed limits visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/trafficoperations/traffic/limits.htm.
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