HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 2778 - Reenact TMC 9.16 "Local Speed Limits - One-Way Streets"City of Tukwila
Washington
Ordinance No. 2,hi
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
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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.
Section 3. TMC Chapter 9.16 Reenacted. TMC chapter 9.16 is hereby reenacted
to read as follows:
Sections:
9.16.010
9.16.020
9.16.030
9.16.040
9.16.050
9.16.060
9.17.070
CHAPTER 9.16
LOCAL SPEED LIMITS — ONE-WAY STREETS
West Valley Highway
42nd Avenue South
South 132nd Street
Maule Avenue
Interurban Avenue
52nd Place South
Tukwila International Boulevard
Section 4. TMC Section 9.16.010 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
9.16.010 West Valley Highway.
A 40 mile -per -hour speed limit zone is established on the West Valley Highway (SR
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 approximately State Highway Milepost No. 11.45.
Section 5. TMC Section 9.16.020 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
9.16.020 42nd Avenue South
2025 Legislation: WVH Speed Limit Revision
Version: 11/19/25
Staff: C. Knighton
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42nd Avenue South from Interurban Avenue to the north terminus of the 42nd Avenue
S Bridge is restricted to a maximum speed of 15 mile -per -hour for all Type 1, Type 2, and
Type 3 trucks, as defined by the American Association of State Highway Officials
(AASHTO).
Section 6. TMC Section 9.16.030 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
9.16.030 South 132nd Street.
South 132nd Street shall be a one-way street, traffic moving from 48th South to
South 133rd Street.
Section 7. TMC Section 9.16.040 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
9.16.040 Maule Avenue.
Maule Avenue shall be a one-way street, traffic moving from South 147th Street to
South 143 Place.
Section 8. TMC Section 9.16.050 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
9.16.050 Interurban Avenue.
A 35 mile -per -hour speed limit is established on Interurban Avenue from State
Highway Milepost No. 11.45 to the north City limits.
Section 9. TMC Section 9.16.060 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
9.16.060 52nd Place South.
52nd Place South is restricted to one-way traffic in the northwest direction between
South 137th Street and 52nd Avenue South, moving from South 137th Street to 52nd
Avenue South.
Section 10. TMC Section 9.16.070 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
9.16.070 Tukwila International Boulevard.
A 35 mile -per -hour speed limit zone is established for both directions of traffic 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;
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Staff: C. Knighton
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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 TUKWI , WASHINGTON, at
a Regular Meeting thereof this 15�- day of t c l,Gwt 6 , 2025.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Andy Yotiti-Barnett, CMC, City Clerk Th•mas McLeod, M. or
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
2025 Legislation: WVH Speed Limit Revision
Version: 11/19/25
Staff: C. Knighton
Filed with the City Clerk: 11-2-5 -
Passed by the City Council: 1 --1- 2 c
Published: 12 — S
Effective Date: 12-- 9-2c
Ordinance Number: ZIT°,
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City of Tukwila Public Notice of Ordinance Adoption for Ordinance 2778.
On December 1, 2025, the City Council of the City of Tukwila, Washington, adopted the
following ordinance, the main points of which are summarized by title as follows:
ORDINANCE 2778: 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.
The full text of this ordinance will be provided upon request.
Andy Youn-Barnett, City Clerk
Published Seattle Times: December 4, 2025