Sedro‑Woolley staff to add lighted pedestrian crossing on Cook Road; speed limit change not recommended

Sedro‑Woolley public works staff reported Jan. 22 that the city plans to add a lighted, push‑button pedestrian crossing with a refuge island on Cook Road near the southern trail (south of Cook Road), with installation targeted for summer under an existing street‑improvement program and current TIB grant funding.

Public Works Director Bill Bullock said the proposed crossing — similar to the one at Janicki Field — would sit about 40 feet west of the nearest corner to avoid interfering with turning movements and school bus routes. Bullock told the council the location provides a roughly 1,000‑foot spacing appropriate for an arterial and that the work has been included in the city’s upcoming overlay and ADA improvements.

Council members asked whether the city could lower the speed limit at that location. Bullock and other staff explained that shortening a posted segment to 25 mph raises compliance and MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) issues and would be hard to enforce without substantial changes to the traffic stream. Instead, staff recommended the crossing as a first step and suggested monitoring the site for a year or two to see the “new normal.” If problems persist, staff said they could add tools such as rumble grooves, advance warning lighting or rumble strips to increase driver awareness.

Council members emphasized public‑safety and school‑child concerns and suggested the city consider additional advance warning signage or embedded pavement lighting. Bullock said embedded in‑pavement lighting was not commonly funded by state safety programs and that rumble grooves, advanced signage and lighting remain options; he noted the city will use tools judiciously so they remain effective.

The council did not take formal action; staff will proceed with design and implementation timing, coordinate with the school district and report back if additional interventions are required.