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Council unanimously adopts citywide speed limit revisions; West Valley Highway reduced to 40 mph
Summary
The council repealed Resolution 2056 and adopted Resolution 2100 to update posted speed limits on 19 segments. Notable changes include lowering West Valley Highway (SR‑181) from 50 to 40 mph and multiple neighborhood reductions; signage will be posted early next year with notice flags during transition.
The Kent City Council on Nov. 18 adopted Resolution 2100, updating posted maximum speed limits on 19 segments around the city.
City traffic engineer Eric Preston described the largest change as lowering the posted speed limit on West Valley Highway/State Route 181 from 50 to 40 miles per hour after coordination with WSDOT and internal staff. “Lowering the speed limit to 40 as was discussed internally and with WSDOT, and they have agreed to lowering this the entire 50 mile per hour zone to 40,” Preston said.
Other changes include adjustments to SR‑515 and SR‑516 transition points near commercial areas and Kent‑Meridian High School, reductions on Riverview Boulevard (35→30) and multiple collector and residential streets where pedestrian activity or school walk routes justify lower speeds. Staff displayed maps breaking the proposals into state routes, West Hill/Valley and East Hill changes.
Council discussed enforcement and the practical limits of signage: Preston said the city will coordinate with police and begin posting signs early next year, starting with state routes, and will use temporary flags to alert drivers during the transition. No new automated enforcement or cameras were announced.
Council moved to repeal the prior speed resolution and adopt the updated limits; the motion carried unanimously.
