HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2021-056•
Whatcom County
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
.
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2021-508
File ID:
AB2021-508
Version: 1
Status: Adopted
File Created:
08/24/2021
Entered by: RMcconne@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department:
Public Works
File Type: Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing
Department
Assigned to:
Council
Final Action: 09/28/2021
Agenda Date:
09/28/2021
Enactment #: ORD 2021-056
Primary Contact Email: sdraper@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance for Installation of a Stop Sign on Northshore Road
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attached memo
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
09/14/2021 Council INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC Council
HEARING
Aye: 7 Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
09/28/2021 Council ADOPTED
Aye: 7 Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Attachments: Staff Memo, Proposed Ordinance, Exhibit A, Map
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 9/30/2021
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PROPOSED BY: Public Works - Engineering
INTRODUCTION DATE: 9/14/2021
ORDINANCE NO. 2021-056
INSTALLATION OF A STOP SIGN ON NORTHSHORE RD
WHEREAS, in compliance with RCW 36.32.120 and 46.61.200, it is found necessary and
expedient to install traffic control signs on certain County Roads; and
WHEREAS, several citizens have requested a change in traffic control at the intersection
of Northshore Rd (County Road Number 47051) and Northshore Rd (County Road Number
47052); and
WHEREAS, the County Engineer completed a Traffic Study of the intersection; and
WHEREAS, the County Engineer has agreed that it is necessary to formally establish the
new stop sign; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that a stop sign
be established for northbound traffic on Northshore Rd at the intersection with Northshore Rd in
section 32, Township 38 North, Range 4 East, W.M.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, by the Whatcom County Council that the following be
added to the Whatcom County Code Section 10.16.1690:
Road Name Direction- Cross Street
Stopping
Northshore Road Northbound Northshore Road
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the County Engineer is hereby directed to install the
appropriate signs and the Whatcom County Sheriff and the Washington State Patrol be notified
by a copy of this ordinance.
4E>.gE€P`Pr
AD`dPTED.th'is — day of September
�bJ'� � „SM O d b vy G �' y�� • f�p°o
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D Qrown-Day.i�,-575(7f tFe Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ Christopher Quinn via email
Christopher Quinn,
Sr. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney,
Civil Division
2021.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
HATCO UNT WASHINGTON
Ba Buchanan, Council Chair
WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE
WHOM COUNTY, YfrSHINGTON
Satpal Sing Sidhu, County Executive
Approved ( ) Denied
Date Signed: IDA �4
WHATCOM COUNTY ENGINEERING SERVICES
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT JAMES P. KARCHER, P.E.
County Engineer
Jon Hutchings 5280 Northwest Drive
Director Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: (360) 778-6220
Fax: (360) 778-6221
Exhibit A:
Northshore Rd Intersection Realignment Traffic Study
07/12/2021
Westbound Northshore Rd (RD# 47052) has stop control; north and south bound Northshore Rd
(RD # 47051) have the right-of-way.
Northbound Northshore Rd (RD# 47051) has stop control; westbound Northshore Rd (RD#
47052) to northbound Northshore Rd (RD# 47051) and sothbound Northshore Rd (RD# 47051)
to eastbound Northshore Rd (RD# 47052) has the right-of-way.
2020 Traffic Distributions:
2
2021 Traffic Distribution
Summer
2021
To Bellingham
Background:
This issue was originally brought to Engineering Services — Traffic by Bruce Parelskin and Fred
Miller, both residents of Northshore Rd, south of the intersection, in August of 2019. They then
saw unprecedented use of the Lake Whatcom Park in the summer of 2020, due to the closure of
almost all other forms of recreation because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, approximately 86% of
the traffic at the intersection was headed to/from the Lake Whatcom Park area. In 2021, this
percentage fell to approximately 80% and the total number of Average Daily Trips fell by more
than half, but given the percentages it would still be worthwhile to revise the stop control at the
intersection. Benefits of the final configuration include improved traffic flow, less pollution from
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vehicles no longer having to stop and then accelerate westbound, reduced noise from stopping
and accelerating vehicles and less drivels mistakenly heading to the dead end portion at the north
end of Smith Creek and being force to turn around. This intersection traffic study consisted of 3
traffic counts performed at the same location in 2020 and 2021. It was also determined that the
stop sign for westbound traffic on Northshore Rd (47052) was never established via ordinance or
resolution and is not in the Whatcom County Code.
Collisions:
No collisions have taken place at this intersection since at least 2001.
Classification:
Both Northshore Rd (47051) and Northshore Rd (47052) are classified as Rural Local Access at
this location. Northshore Rd (47051) has 10 foot BST lanes and 2 foot gravel shoulders from the
Urban Area Boundary at MP 4.03 to the end of the road at MP 5.66. Northshore Rd (47052) has
11 foot BST lanes and 6 foot BST shoulders for its entire length.
Speeds and Volumes:
Traffic counts were taken in the summer of 2020 and 2021 on Northshore Rd (47051) north and
south of the intersection with Northshore Rd (47052) and on Northshore Rd (47052) east of the
intersection with Northshore Rd (47051). These counts consist of volume, speed and truck
percentage.
Counts:
2020 Northshore Rd (47051) N of Northshore Rd (47052) ADT 968 NB 485 SB 483
2021 Northshore Rd (47051) N of Northshore Rd (47052) ADT 469 NB 234 SB 235
2020 Northshore Rd (47051) S of Northshore Rd (47052) ADT 124 NB 62 SB 62
2021 Northshore Rd (47051) S of Northshore Rd (47052) ADT 53 NB 26 SB 27
2020 Northshore Rd (47052) E of Northshore Rd (47051) ADT 832 EB 416 WB 416
2021 Northshore Rd (47052) E of Northshore Rd (47051) ADT 378 EB 189 WB 189
85111 percentile Speed:
2020 Northshore Rd (47051) N of Northshore Rd (47052) Combined 40.4 MPH NB 39.5 MPH SB 41.2 MPH
2021 Northshore Rd (47051) N of Northshore Rd (47052) Combined 42.3 MPH NB 41.4 MPH SB 42.3 MPH
2020 Northshore Rd (47051) S of Northshore Rd (47052) Combined 32.0 MPH NB 29.8 MPH SB 33.4 MPH
2021 Northshore Rd (47051) S of Northshore Rd (47052) Combined 33.3 MPH NB 31.6 MPH SB 33.9 MPH
2020 Northshore Rd (47052) E of Northshore Rd (47051) Combined 37.4 MPH EB 36.4 MPH WB 38.1 MPH
2021 Northshore Rd (47052) E of Northshore Rd (47051) Combined 37.3 MPH EB 35.8 MPH WB 38.0 MPH
Truck Percentage:
2020 Northshore Rd (47051) N of Northshore Rd (47052) Combined 5.6% NB 3.9% SB 7.5%
2021 Northshore Rd (47051) N of Northshore Rd (47052) Combined 5.9% NB 6.2% SB 5.6%
2020 Northshore Rd (47051) S of Northshore Rd (47052) Combined 6.6% NB 6.2% SB 6.9%
2021 Northshore Rd (47051) S of Northshore Rd (47052) Combined 7.4% NB 7.2% SB 7.6%
2020 Northshore Rd (47052) E of Northshore Rd (47051) Combined 4.7% EB 5.8% WB 3.6%
2021 Northshore Rd (47052) E of Northshore Rd (47051) Combined 4.0% EB 4.3% WB 3.7%
Recommendation:
1. Add Stop control to Northbound Northshore Rd (47051), south of Northshore Rd
(47052)
2. Remove Stop control from Westbound Northshore Rd (47052)
3. Add Centerline Stripe and Edgeline Extensions through the intersection to emphasize
the Southbound to Eastbound and Westbound to Northbound Traffic Right -of -Way.
4. Add W1-10bL Left Curve Warning Sign with side road for southbound traffic, north of
the intersection. Perform Ball Bank evaluation to determine if an advisory speed will be
5. Add W1-10cR Right Curve Warning Sign with side road for westbound traffic, east of the
intersection. Perform Ball Bank evaluation to determine if an advisory speed will be
required.
a. \ W1-10cR
6. This change in configuration would require a public hearing and an ordinance to add a
stop sign for northbound Northshore Rd.
a. A new stop line at the location of the new northbound Stop sign and a short
section of centerline marking with slight curve could be added for emphasis
7. W23-2 New Traffic Pattern Ahead signs with flags would be needed for 6 months
following completion of the above changes.
NEW
TRAFFIC
PATTERN
AHEAD -
a.
8. Other traffic signs as required by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices may be
necessary, including Large Arrow or Chevron Signs.
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Vicinity Map — Northshore Rd/Northshore Rd Intersection