Lewis County commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 5 to adopt Traffic Ordinance 223, which lowers the posted speed limit to 35 miles per hour on three county roads after an engineering and traffic investigation.

County Engineer Wes Anderson presented the staff report and described the statutory basis for the change: “This morning's public hearing is a consideration of changing the speed limit on 3 different roads in Lewis County pursuant to RCW 46 61 4 15,” Anderson said. He said the county’s engineering and traffic investigation recommended a 35 mph limit to provide continuity with nearby posted roads.

The nut graf: The ordinance changes the maximum speed limit to 35 mph on LaBrea Road (County Road No. 40024) from Bishop Road to Rogers Road (1.227 miles), Hamilton Road (CR 40032) from the Napavine city limits to LaBrea Road (1.595 miles), and Hamilton Road North (CR 40034) from Hamilton Road to LaBrea Road (1.176 miles). The change was prompted by a culvert replacement project on Berwick Creek at LaBrea Road that reduced safe stopping sight distance under the prior design speed.

Anderson explained that the culvert design required lowering the maximum design speed locally and that, following a broader review of adjoining routes — Rice Road, Rogers Road and the Wacom Valley Road — staff recommended 35 mph on the three segments to maintain consistent posted speeds across the area.

The board opened a question-and-answer period, accepted Anderson’s staff report into the hearing record, and then opened and closed the public testimony portion; no public testimony was offered. A commissioner moved and seconded adoption of Traffic Ordinance 223. The motion carried on a voice vote: “Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes 3–0,” the record shows.

Ending: The ordinance will take effect following publication and signage changes as scheduled by Lewis County Public Works.