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Enumclaw council adopts $21 million local road safety plan; interim fixes planned for Stevenson–Cole intersection
Summary
The Enumclaw City Council on March 9 adopted a local road safety plan identifying nine priority areas totaling roughly $21 million and approved near‑term measures — including a 25 mph zone and a small no‑parking change — while engineering work continues for pedestrian bulb‑outs and potential flashing beacons at the Stevenson and Cole intersection.
Enumclaw council members voted March 9 to adopt a Local Road Safety Plan that identifies nine improvement areas and an estimated total need of about $21,000,000 to reduce fatal and serious‑injury collisions on city streets.
The plan, presented by city staff, inventories spot locations and systematic countermeasures—such as LED lighting, striping and shoulder improvements, rumble strips, pedestrian improvements on Porta Street, and rapid‑flashing crosswalk enhancements—and is intended to position the city to seek grants and loans to fund projects. "This plan provides a framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing safety improvements on local roads with an emphasis to reduce and eliminate fatal and serious injury collisions," city staff said during the presentation.
Councilmember McClure said the public works team had already developed site drawings for the Stevenson–Cole intersection and described an interim package of changes. "In the coming days, what is going to be happening is a 25‑mile‑per‑hour speed zone," McClure said. He said a preliminary engineer's estimate for a concept that includes two pedestrian bulb‑outs is about $84,000 and that rapid‑flashing beacons were not included in that estimate.
Earlier in the meeting, an unnamed resident who uses the nearby senior center urged the council to install four rectangular solar rapid‑flashing beacons and push‑button crosswalks on Cole Street, citing recent severe injuries near the AutoZone corner and the vulnerability of older pedestrians. "Please, we need your help," the resident said, asking the council to prioritize protections for seniors and veterans who frequent the area.
Councilmembers discussed staff capacity and the plan's readiness to support grant applications. Staff told the council the plan draws on several years of collision data and, once adopted, will strengthen the city's ability to pursue state and federal funding for the identified projects.
The council approved Resolution 1870 adopting the Local Road Safety Plan by voice vote. Council discussion included a brief clarification from Councilmember Smith confirming staff work had already compiled much of the necessary data and that adoption would not require a new safety study.
What happens next: staff will refine cost estimates and design drawings for priority intersections (including Stevenson–Cole) and pursue grants and loans. The timeline for design and construction will depend on funding; the council did not set specific funding commitments at the March 9 meeting.
