HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works January 16 20071 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Public Works and Safety Committee
3
4 January 16, 2007
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6 Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the
7 Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
8
9 Present: Absent:
10 L. Ward Nelson Sam Crawford
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12 Also Present:
13 None
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15
16 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
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18 2. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE POSSIBLE DRAFTING OF A LETTER TO BE
19 SENT TO THE WSDOT REQUESTING INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS AT I -S
20 EXIT 270 (AB2007 -032)
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22 Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, stated it is within the limited right -of -way, and
23 is State controlled. He can't do a warrant analysis without information on all legs of the
24 intersection. When they put in a signal, it could effect the area. As an engineer, he would
25 have to ask the State to analyze the area for signal warrants. He would not feel
26 comfortable requesting that the State install a signal without knowing about the warrants.
27 He supports the Council sending a letter.
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29 Brenner stated they shouldn't have to waste time doing an analysis. They know
30 they need the signs. She moved to recommend that the Council send a letter to the State
31 Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting that the State install a four -way stop at
32 Interstate 5 exist 270, the southbound acceleration and deceleration lanes.
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34 Motion carried unanimously.
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36 1. CONSIDERATION OF SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION ON THREE SECTIONS OF THE
37 "Y" ROAD (AB2007 -033)
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39 Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, stated he will have more information in two
40 weeks.
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42 Brenner stated this can be held in committee.
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44 Nelson stated the problem with Y Road is that it's an off -ramp. There are only two
45 houses that access it directly on that section. One is for sale and may be torn down. Rutan
46 asked if they are thinking about closing the intersection.
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48 Nelson stated make it a better exit.
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50 Brenner asked about putting a stop sign on the road.
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52 Nelson stated he's never seen an accident there.
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Public Works and Safety Committee, 1/16/2007, Page 1
1 Rutan stated that on the State Route, the two high accident locations are at Britton
2 Road and East Smith Road. If there are accidents, they're probably on Y Road, not the Mt.
3 Baker Highway.
4
5 Nelson stated he'd rather get them safely off the highway.
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7 Rutan stated it's more of a geometric design issue than a speed issue. A geometric
8 design can help lower the speed. Right now, it's a deceleration lane. People can go onto Y
9 Road without taking their foot of the gas.
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11 Nelson stated they may have to put a stop sign on Y Road.
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13 Brenner moved to hold in committee for two weeks.
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15 Motion carried unanimously.
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17
18 OTHER BUSINESS
19
20 There was no other business.
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22
23 ADJOURN
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25 .2he meeting adjourned at 1:42 p.m.
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29 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
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38 Mina 01 jR3,r •tou '11 Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works and Safety Committee, 1/16/2007, Page 2