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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2025-12-01 Item 5F - Ordinance - Reenact TMC 9.16 "Local Speed Limits - One-Way Streets"COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS Initialr Meeting Date Prepared by Mayor's review Council review 12/01/25 JR ITEM INFORMATION ITEM No. 5.F. STAFF SPONSOR: ADAM COX ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 12/01/25 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Ordinance to Reduce Speed on West Valley Highway (SR 181) CATEGORY ❑ Discussion Mtg Date Motion Mtg Date 12/01 ❑ Resolution Mtg Date E Ordinance Mtg Date E Bid Award Mtg Date E Public Hearing Mtg Date ❑ Other Mtg Date SPONSOR ❑ Council ❑ Mayor ❑ .Admin Svcs ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ P&R ❑ Police ❑ PIG SPONSOR'S SUMMARY The City of Kent recently received approval to reduce the speed limit on West Valley Highway from 50 mph to 40 mph. Kent reached out to Tukwila to consider lowering the speed limit on our city's section. City personnel) are working parallel with the City of Kent to have the speed reduced, to eliminate confusion for both drivers and law enforcement. The Council is being asked to approve the ordinance. REVIEWED BY r_ Trans&Infrastructure Svcs ❑ Community Svcs/Safety ❑ Finance & Governance ❑ Planning & Community Dev. ❑ LTAC ❑ Arts Comm. ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm. DATE: 11/24/25 COMMITTEE CHAIR: MOHAMED ABDI RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. Department of Public Works COMMITTEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to 12/01 Regular Consent Agenda COST IMPACT I FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED Fund Source: Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 12/01/25 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 12/01/25 Informational Memorandum dated 11/21 Ordinance Amending TMC 9.16 SR 181 WSDOT Approval of Traffic Regulations Tukwila Kent SR 181 Boundary Map Minutes from 11/24/25 TIS Committee Meeting (to be distributed separately) 23 Thomas McLeod, Mayor Public Works Department - Jen Tetatzin, PE, PMP - Director TO: Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee FROM: Jen Tetatzin — Public Work Director BY: Adam Cox — Senior Program Manager — Transportation CC: Mayor Thomas McLeod DATE: November 21, 2025 SUBJECT: West Valley Highway (SR 181) Ordinance ISSUE Approve the West Valley Highway (SR 181) Ordinance amending Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 9.16 "Local Speed Limits" BACKGROUND The boundary between City of Kent and the City of Tukwila along the West Valley Highway (SR 181) corridor is located on the center line of the highway. From S 180th St to the Union Pacific Railroad crossing, the southbound direction of SR 181 is within the City of Tukwila, and the northbound direction is within the City of Kent. The attached map provides a visual of the boundary. Representatives from the City of Kent reached out to Tukwila staff with an inquiry about whether Tukwila would consider lowering the speed limit on the City's section of West Valley Highway in coordination with Kent's revision. The City of Kent had recently received approval from WSDOT to reduce the speed limit on West Valley Highway from 50 mph to 40 mph after the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) conducted a speed study, inclusive of the Tukwila section. As West Valley Highway is a state highway, WSDOT must approve all speed limits. City of Kent expects to adopt the speed limit reduction to 40 mph from S 180th Street southward on December 2, 2025. Kent forces are anticipated to change out speed limit signs sometime in January 2026. DISCUSSION City personnel are working in parallel with staff from the City of Kent to have the speed limit reduced on SR 181. The coordination efforts and adoption of the ordinance amendment will ensure that both the City of Kent and the City of Tukwila will post signage simultaneously, reducing confusion for both drivers and law enforcement. This ordinance enables the Tukwila Police Department, Kent Police Department, and Washington State Patrol to enforce penalties against drivers who fail to comply with the posted regulatory speed limit. FINANCIAL IMPACT De minimis RECOMMENDATION The Council is being asked to approve the ordinance and consider this item at the December 1, 2025 Regular Consent Meeting. ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance Amending Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 9.16 SR 181 WSDOT Approval of Traffic Regulations Tukwila Kent SR 181 Boundary Map Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Website: TukwilaWA.gov 24 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, REPEALING VARIOUS ORDINANCES AS CODIFIED AT TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE (TMC) CHAPTER 9.16, "LOCAL SPEED LIMITS — ONE-WAY STREETS"; REENACTING TMC CHAPTER 9.16; ADOPTING UPDATED REASONABLE AND SAFE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN DESIGNATED STREETS, AS POSTED BY OFFICIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, chapter 9.16 of the Tukwila Municipal Code ("TMC") adopts by reference the Washington Model Traffic Ordinance set forth in chapter 308-330 of the Washington Administrative Code ("WAC"); and WHEREAS, the Washington Model Traffic Ordinance and RCW 46.61.415 set forth the procedure for local authorities to determine and declare the maximum speed limits on city arterials, streets, and other rights -of -way, based on an engineering and traffic investigation by the traffic engineer. Following an engineering study or traffic investigation, the City of Tukwila ("City") may establish limits on certain designated streets by resolution; and WHEREAS, previously, Resolution No. 1370 established the maximum speed limit on certain portions of West Valley Highway (SR 181); and WHEREAS, the City shares jurisdictional authority on West Valley Highway with the City of Kent from the southern City limits north to South 180th Street. The City of Kent controls speed limits for northbound traffic, and the City of Tukwila controls speed limits for southbound traffic, both requiring consultation with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on state routes; and WHEREAS, the City of Kent is lowering the maximum speed limit for northbound traffic on that portion of the shared West Valley Highway after an engineering study and traffic investigation, and with approval from WSDOT, the Kent City Council is reducing the speed limit from 50 mph to 40 mph; and 2025 Legislation: WVH Speed Limit Revision Version: 11/19/25 Staff: C. Knighton Page 1 of 4 25 WHEREAS, the City desires to have the same maximum speed limit for southbound traffic on the shared portion of West Valley Highway with the City of Kent, and approval for the new maximum speed limit was granted by WSDOT based on the engineering study prepared by the City of Kent; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need for updating and amending the code provisions under Title 9 of the Tukwila Municipal Code to enact the maximum speed limit change; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Adoption of Findings of Fact. The City Council finds as follows. The above recitals, set forth as "WHEREAS" clauses, are hereby adopted as Findings of Fact in support of the adoption of this ordinance. Section 2. Repealer. Ordinance Nos. 1370 §1 (part), 1395 §1 & §2, 1583 §1, 1866 § 1, 1875 §1, 2380 §1, and 2566 §2, as codified at TMC Chapter 9.16, "Local Speed Limits — One -Way Streets," are hereby repealed, thereby eliminating this chapter. Sections: 9.16.010 C APT 9.16 CA P L T AY T Forty MPH on Portion of West Valley Highway 9.16.030 South 139nd Street 9.16.050 Interurban Avenue 9.16.060 South 12/1ill Street, 42vene eit an45Qth Place South 9.17.070 Thirty five MPH on Portion of Tukwila International Boulevard Section 3. TMC Chapter 9.16 Reenacted. TMC chapter 9.16 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: C CHAPTh 9.16 LIMITS = WAY Sections: 9,16,010 West Valley Highway 9.16„020 42nd Avenue South 9,16,030 South 132nd Street 9.16„040 Mule Avenue 9,16,050 Interurban Avenue 9.16,060 52nd Place South 9.17.070 Tukwila International Boulevard 2025 Legislation: WVH Speed Limit Revision Version: 11/19/25 Staff: C. Knighton Page 2 of 4 26 Section 4. TMC Section 9.16.010 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: I est Valley Highway, A 40 mile -per -hour speed limit one is established on the West Valley Highway (SF. 181) from the southern limits of the City of Tukwila at approximately State HighwAy Milepost No, 9.24 northward to the end of the State Highway and the beginning of Interurban Avenue at approximateitate Highway Milepost No. 1145„ 9. Section 5. TMC Section 9.16.020 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: 021 42nd Ave u. South 42nd Avenue South from Interurban Avenue to the north terminus of the 42rd Avenue S Bridge is restricted to a maximum speed of 15 milejler-hour for all 'Typo 1Jive 2, and "Type 3 trucks, as defined by the American Associati of State Highway Officials AASHTp), Section 6. TMC Section 9.16.030 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: 03 I S 132nd treet, South 132nd Street shall be a one-way s reet, traffic moving from 48th South o South 133rd Street Section 7. TMC Section 9.16.040 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: 9. b 041 aule Ave e. Maule Avenue shall be a one-way street, ra ic movin South 143 Place, South 147th Street to Section 8. TMC Section 9.16.050 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: 05 I Interu ye ue. A 35 mi e-per-hour speed limit is established on Interurban Avenue ,tate Highway Milepost No. 11 „45 to the north City_limits„ Section 9. TMC Section 9.16.060 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: I 52nd lac outh, 52rd Place South is restr cted to one-way traffic in the northwest direction between South 1379 Street and 52rd Avenue South ving from South 1:379 Street to 5219 Avenue South. 2025 Legislation: WVH Speed Limit Revision Version: 11/19/25 Staff: C. Knighton Page 3 of 4 2 7 Section 10. TMC Section 9.16.070 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: 9.1 70. Tukwila int t nal IBoulova _... A 35 mile -per -hour speed Dinh zone i establ lied for both dire Lions of to-alc on Tukwila International Boulevard between South 139th Street and South 152nd Street. Section 11. Signs to be Posted. The Public Works Director is hereby directed to post appropriate speed limit signs reflecting the speed limits established in this ordinance after coordinating with the City of Kent. The speed limit signs are to be posted at the same time between both jurisdictions to avoid driver confusion. Section 12. Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser Authorized. Upon approval of the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the code reviser are authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the correction of clerical errors; references to other local, state or federal laws, codes, rules, or regulations; or ordinance numbering and section/subsection numbering. Section 13. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other person or situation. Section 14. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force five days after passage and publication as provided by law, provided that the speed limits set forth in this ordinance shall not be enforceable until appropriate signs are posted. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2025. ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Andy Youn-Barnett, CMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Office of the City Attorney 2025 Legislation: WVH Speed Limit Revision Version: 11/19/25 Staff: C. Knighton Thomas McLeod, Mayor Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Published: Effective Date: Ordinance Number: Page 4 of 4 28 STATE TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS ENGINEER CALENDAR AGENDA May 22, 2025 TO: FROM: Jessi Henderson RE: Dongoho Chang, State Traffic Engineer Approval of Traffic Regulations CALENDAR ACTION Below are items for inclusion on your Calendar for approval. SPEED LIMIT SR 181, Kent OFFICIAL: MP 6.17 TO MP 8.71 Both = 50 MPH MP 8.71 TO MP 9.76 Both = 50 MPH PROPOSED: MP 6.17 TO MP 9.76 Both = 40 MPH The proposed speed zone request was submitted by the Northwest Region based on a traffic engineering study. The region collaborated with the City of Kent, WSP on this request. Approved: May 22, 2025 Dongoho Chang State Traffic Engineer CC: David Weller, NWR Region Lou Baker TDGMO Rob Brown, City of Kent Brenda Schenck, Washington State Patrol Mike Swires, Regional Traffic Engineer 29 Tukwila iMap 11/13/2025, 12:25:57 PM © City Limits Buildings Street 1:9,028 0 0.05 0.1 ll 0 0.07 0.15 a 0.2 mi ' H 0.3 km City of Tukwila, King County, EagleView Technologies, Inc., King County 30 City of Tukwila