County continues mitigation, applies for HSIP funds after crashes at Number 6 Road–Kittitas Highway intersection

Kittitas County Public Works reported continued monitoring and incremental safety measures at the intersection of Number 6 Road and Kittitas Highway and said it has included the site in a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant application.

Public Works recounted crash data since 2020: two reported crashes in 2020, four in 2021, six in 2022, nine in 2023, three in 2024, and two crashes so far in 2025. Staff said recent crashes since late 2023 and mitigation work have been concentrated on eastbound traffic on Kittitas Highway. Measures already installed include upgraded flashing stop-ahead signs and LED signage, a stop bar marking on Number 6, removal of plants that obstructed visibility and an instruction to remove a white fence on the southeast quadrant; staff said the county will remove the fence and place the pieces on the owner’s property if it is not removed voluntarily.

Staff said they had considered and previously installed transverse rumble strips at several locations in the county but these were filled in after community complaints about noise. The county has looked at active sensor-triggered warning signs that illuminate when a vehicle approaches; staff said those are more expensive but could be evaluated further. Public Works placed the intersection as a priority project in the HSIP grant application and expects award notifications around September.

A commissioner asked for cost estimates for additional paint, signage, and other low-cost mitigations before pursuing major changes to the road environment. Staff agreed to prepare costs and return with the estimates at a future study session.