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Council adopts ordinance seeking lower aspirational speed limits on State Highways 502 and 503
Summary
By unanimous vote, the council adopted Ordinance 2025-04 asking WSDOT to set aspirational speed limits for State Route 502 at 30 mph and State Route 503 at 40 mph as corridor improvements proceed; the ordinance provides policy direction while final posting remains under state authority.
The council adopted Ordinance 2025-04 May 19 amending local code language to state the city's desired speed limits for State Route 502 (30 mph) and State Route 503 (40 mph) as corridor improvements proceed.
City staff explained the ordinance sets the city's aspirational speed objectives and is intended to inform Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) decision-making as safety and infrastructure changes occur. WSDOT retains authority to set and post legally enforceable speed limits; staff and council discussed that posted signage and enforcement will reflect the state process and timing.
Council member questions focused on when posted limits and enforcement will change. Staff said WSDOT is working through corridor studies; a WSDOT update on SR 502 speed limits was expected around July and the SR 503 corridor would return to council in June for additional discussion. The council adopted the ordinance by motion (Deputy Mayor Bowman moved; Council member Overholzer seconded); the clerk read the ordinance title before the vote.
Why it matters: These corridors carry regional traffic and changes to posted speed limits affect safety, traffic flow and enforcement. The ordinance communicates the city's policy preference to WSDOT while recognizing the state's legal authority over state highways.
Next steps: Council and staff will coordinate with WSDOT on timing and signage; staff noted WSDOT-led updates are already underway for Dollar's Corner and other segments.
