Kittitas County lowers speed limit on Umtanum Road to 35 mph after mixed public comment

The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners voted to lower the county speed limit on Umtanum Road from 50 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour between the city limits at milepost 1 and milepost 2.68.

Cameron Curtis of Kittitas County Public Works presented a speed study and context that prompted the hearing. Curtis said traffic tubes were deployed in late March and recorded an average daily traffic (ADT) of about 2,747 vehicles at milepost 1.13 and 1,188 vehicles at milepost 1.79. He reported the 80th‑percentile speeds at both collection points were “right around 50 miles an hour,” while median speeds were 43 mph at MP 1.13 and 41.6 mph at MP 1.79. Curtis also gave the “pace” ranges (the 10‑mph bucket containing most free‑flowing vehicles): 38.6–48.6 mph at MP 1.13 and 39.8–49.8 mph at MP 1.79.

Curtis reviewed FHWA’s new guidance that recommends considering additional factors beyond the 80th percentile—roadway environment, roadway characteristics, geographic context, crash experience and prior studies—and noted changes in local land use, including a recently installed solar farm and construction of a grocery distribution center near the city limits. Public Works reported seven reported crashes in the last five years and one in the last 12 months; staff also reported truck traffic has increased compared with older studies (staff cited roughly 28% truck traffic at MP 1.13 and a higher truck percentage at MP 1.79 in the 2025 study).

During a nearly three‑hour public comment period, multiple residents, school officials and parents urged the board to lower the speed because of safety concerns for Hammond School, a nearby city park, bicyclists and children; Tim Wallace, superintendent of the Hammond School District, said the sheriff’s office “is determined to make sure that the children at Damnan [Hammond] are safe.” Several residents described near misses, deer strikes and damage from heavy trucks and asked for lower speeds and more enforcement. Other commenters opposed the change or recommended alternatives such as weight restrictions, haul permits and targeted infrastructure investment to address heavy truck traffic and road wear. One commenter said the speed study showed compliance with the posted 50 mph speed limit and urged enforcement or photo‑school zones instead.

In deliberations, several commissioners cited the county’s long‑term land‑use and resource economy context, including existing permitted rock pits and recent quarry and distribution‑center traffic. Commissioners referenced FHWA’s updated guidance to explain why the board should weigh local context in addition to percentile speeds. Some commissioners said they had been prepared to deny the change based solely on historic speed data but were persuaded by public testimony and the broader context. Commissioners also noted enforcement capacity limits for the sheriff’s office.

The motion to reduce the posted speed limit to 35 mph carried with the board voting in favor; staff noted the city indicated it will pursue a matching change inside city limits. Public Works advised that FHWA recommends transition treatments when speed changes are large and suggested signage and other measures as appropriate. The county will update Kittitas County Code chapter 10.08.020 to reflect the new speed limit and post signs on the corridor.