Bainbridge council adopts new speed limits

Published 11:39 am Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Speed limits are going down across the island.

At its March 9 meeting, the Bainbridge Island City Council approved a number of island-wide changes.

More densely zoned and developed areas, which include mixed use town centers, neighborhood service centers (Lynwood Center, Island Center & Rolling Bay Center), High School Road District I and II and all residential roads, will have a maximum speed limit of 25 mph.

Less densely zoned areas and roads, designated as collectors and arterials, will have a maximum speed limit of 35 mph.

During the meeting, the council also voted to accept the “2015 Focused Traffic Study” prepared by the consultant company Perteet, Inc.

Speed limit reductions, from 35 mph to 30 mph, will be implemented at Eagle Harbor Drive from McDonald to Taylor; at Lafayette Avenue from Euclid to Sunrise; Manzanita Drive from Day to Hidden Cove; and at Sunrise Drive from Day Road to Lafayette Avenue. The speed limit at Phelps Road from Madison Avenue to Hidden Cove will be reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph. At the intersection of Phelps and Euclid, “cross traffic does not stop” warning signs will be installed.

Police chief Matthew Hamner said that residents will be given ample time to adjust to these changes before enforcement actions begin.

“We want behavior change to happen because of education, not because of enforcement,” Hamner said.