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Residents press commissioners over high speeds on Tamarson Road; county engineers point to speed study and enforcement options
Summary
Multiple residents urged Walla Walla County to lower speeds and increase enforcement on the Myra–Plaza (Tamarson) corridor after a new speed study showed 80th‑percentile speeds of 45–49 mph. County staff recommended enforcement and signage and presented a broader DKS study proposing lower posted limits on many mountainous gravel roads.
Residents from the Tamarson/Myra area told commissioners Feb. 9 they are fearful to walk and back out of driveways because of routine speeding and asked the board to reduce the posted speed limit between Myra Road and Plaza Way from 35 to 30 mph.
Joe McMichael and Alice McDonald presented petitions and described repeated instances of vehicles exceeding posted limits and multiple near misses. County Engineer Joel Dickerson cited recent speed studies showing an 80th‑percentile eastbound speed of 45 mph and westbound 49 mph in the problem area and recommended immediate and continued enforcement as the strongest remedy. Dickerson also suggested radar feedback signs, corridor speed posting in coordination with the city and College Place, and other low‑cost calming measures while staffing and enforcement resources are assessed.
Separately, Public Works presented a broader DKS study recommending reduced posted limits for 23 mountainous and gravel roads (many proposed at 30 mph, with a few exceptions at 35–40 mph). Commissioners supported lower limits in principle and discussed the practical limits of enforcement without dedicated traffic officers; the board set a public hearing on proposed code changes and asked staff to coordinate with the sheriff and neighboring cities.
Quote: "The speed data results show there's a very big speeding problem in the area," Commissioner Clayton summarized, citing the county engineer's report. Joel Dickerson told residents: "Enforcement is the best option and the most likely to change behavior."
