Whispering Pines resident urges council to lower traffic speeds for safety

The Battle Ground City Council convened on May 5, 2025, for a study session and regular meeting, focusing primarily on traffic speed limits and public safety concerns. The meeting began with citizen communications, where Reggie Hall, a resident of the Whispering Pines neighborhood, advocated for lowering the speed limit from 25 to 15 miles per hour within his subdivision. Hall expressed concerns about the safety of children playing and riding bikes in the area, citing instances of speeding vehicles and the need for increased caution.

Hall also addressed the speed limit on Dallas Corner, requesting the council to recommend to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) that it be raised from 35 to 50 miles per hour, arguing that the current limit contributes to road rage and unsafe driving conditions. He concluded by urging the council to ensure police presence to enforce the recently lowered speed limit on the west side of Highway 502, which he felt was not being adequately monitored.

Following citizen communications, the council moved to the consent agenda, which was unanimously approved without further discussion. The public hearing segment of the meeting featured WSDOT representatives Devin Reck and Michael Southwick, who presented a proposal regarding speed limits on Highway 502. They discussed the rationale behind maintaining a 40 mph speed limit in certain areas while proposing a transition to 30 mph further down the highway, emphasizing the importance of context and infrastructure in determining safe speed limits.

Council members engaged in a detailed discussion about the proposed changes, with some expressing concerns about the safety of intersections, particularly at 20 Ninth Avenue, where residents reported difficulties in safely exiting due to high-speed traffic. The council acknowledged the need for further studies and community engagement to address these safety issues effectively.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from WSDOT to continue evaluating speed limits and traffic conditions as development progresses in the area, particularly with the anticipated construction of a roundabout and a new high school. The council plans to revisit the topic in future meetings, aiming to balance public safety with traffic flow considerations.