Speed limit reduction a topic of concern

Some people aren't too thrilled about a possible impending speed limit reduction on a stretch of highway between Electric City and Grand Coulee. 

The upcoming construction of a pedestrian and bicycle pathway along Banks Lake connecting the Coulee Playland area to the North Dam area may come with a speed limit reduction from 45 miles per hour to 35 mph for an 800-yard stretch of road if the state Department of Transportation deems it appropriate.

The path will narrow the roadway, which will affect DOT's decision.

At Electric City's May 10 meeting, Mayor Diane Kohout read some public comments received on the matter.

Mark and Debbie Jenson like the idea of building the trail and reducing the speed limit, telling the council and mayor in an email that "we feel blessed to live where we do and outside activities are a bonus for residents & tourists."

Others are less enthused.

Kaitlyn Guest wrote in an email that the speed limit should not be reduced.

"There's no reason to change it," she said. 'If it was meant to be at 35, they wouldn\'t have had it at 45 to begin with. Everyone in town is pissed at this change. It makes no sense! All it's going to [do] is make that stretch of road even more dangerous."

Guest also noted people being upset at the speed limit reduction from Grand Coulee to Coulee Dam from 40 to 30 mph a few years ago.

Ted Piccolo had the most to say on the matter.

He said that he and others were unaware of the trail and possible speed limit change.

"This is a change that will effect thousands of people daily," he wrote. "This one issue will impact more people than a few roosters or a fence here or there. And yet to a certain percentage of the population in Electric City the change was a complete surprise."

Piccolo also seemed to conflate the current trail project, connecting the Coulee Playland area with the North Dam area, with a previously proposed project that was abandoned years ago, a trail that would have stretched behind people's homes from the North to South of Electric City.

City Clerk Peggy Nevsimal clarified some details to Piccolo in a response email, including that the older trail project wasn't what is being constructed.

"The speed limit decision has not been finalized and ultimately will not be up to the city, but rather Washington State Department of Transportation if changes need to be made," she wrote in response to Piccolo asking when the city had approved the speed limit change.

The city's engineer, Steve Nelson of Century West Engineering out of Spokane, made the point that the city has discussed the topic for at least 18 months at council meetings, as well as holding "open house" events in which citizens can talk openly with city officials about city issues, including the pathway.

The pathway is anticipated to be completed this summer.

The speed limit could be reduced from Coulee Playland to North Dam but will remain 45 miles per hour from North Dam to the Four Corners area.