Island County commissioners adopt countywide speed‑limit changes, cap county roads at 45 mph

The Board of Island County Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 3 to adopt ordinance C‑66‑25, implementing recommendations from a six‑year countywide speed study and setting a 45‑mile‑per‑hour maximum on county roads.

Ed C., Island County engineer, told the board the project evaluated 144 road segments with public outreach that included four open houses and an online survey that drew about 1,800 comments. He said the board-directed cap at 45 mph left 72 segments unchanged and reduced the posted speed on roughly 72 others; an additional 14 local roads that previously were unassessed will also be reduced to 45 mph under the change.

"With the board's direction to cap the county maximum at 45, we adjusted the tables so there are no net increases and a number of reductions," Ed C. said during the hearing.

Commissioner Jill Johnson said the study reflects years of work and engineering standards and said she was comfortable with staff recommendations. "We've been working on this for about six years," Commissioner Johnson said. "I'm comfortable with where we're at."

Residents urged the board to pair the regulatory changes with targeted traffic‑calming work. Ben Covert, who lives near a curve on East Harbor Road where multiple fatalities have occurred, told the commissioners that signage and lower speeds alone may not be enough at that specific location and urged boulder barriers and additional lighting. "I implore our board of commissioners to take bold action," he said.

Staff told the board they have separate contracts to review horizontal curves and to update warning signage countywide. Ed C. said county crews will also replace worn or nonreflective signs as part of implementation.

Commissioners discussed timing and logistics before finalizing the vote. The packet originally referenced a 15‑day effective window, but staff and the board agreed a 30‑day implementation period was necessary to give public works time to change hundreds of signs. A motion to adopt the ordinance was made and seconded by county commissioners; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

The ordinance directs Public Works to implement the new regulatory signs and establishes a countywide, engineering‑based approach intended to make speed limits more defensible in court. Commissioners emphasized that engineering standards, rather than ad‑hoc public pressure, will guide future speed decisions but said engineers may revisit locations where new physical changes (for example, roundabouts) or additional data warrant reconsideration.

Next steps include staff follow‑up on specific locations raised during public testimony — including sight‑distance or crest‑of‑hill issues and a 2022 petition concerning speeds on Engle/Engel Road — and deployment of new and replaced signage over the 30‑day implementation period. The board announced an executive session after the vote and adjourned the meeting.

Ordinance: C‑66‑25 and related resolution R‑26‑25 were adopted unanimously and will go into effect after a 30‑day implementation window to allow sign replacement and related public‑works work.

(Reporting note: quotes and attributions come from speakers who self‑identified in the public record.)