Lewis County commissioners set a public hearing for Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. to consider Traffic Ordinance 224, which would reduce the maximum posted speed limit to 35 mph on a portion of Ashland Road (County Road 26 to 161) near Mossy Rock.

Jeff Soderquist, Public Works Director, told the commission the change responds to a traffic study requested by the commissioners. The study recommended 35 mph on the segment extending from the intersection of Mossy Rock Road East and Swofford Road to Mossy Rock Park Lane at Rife Lake because of a skewed intersection angle, high seasonal recreational traffic and continuity with adjacent posted limits. “We determined that the recommended speed limit of 35 miles an hour be set for Ashland Road due to the skewed angle of the Ashland Swofford Intersection,” Soderquist said.

The public hearing will be held in the commissioners’ hearing room on the second floor of the historic courthouse in Chehalis; notice was filed under Resolution 25-270. The motion to approve the two notice items, including the speed-limit hearing, passed 3-0.

Nut graf: The county will take public testimony Oct. 7 before deciding whether to adopt the 35-mph limit on the identified Ashland Road segment.

Ending: Residents may attend in person or via the county's livestream; staff recommended submission of comments during the scheduled hearing.