Residents urge rapid-flashing beacons and 25-mph signage at Stevenson & Cole after recent injuries

Residents at the March 9 meeting urged the Enumclaw City Council to act quickly to improve pedestrian safety at the Stevenson and Cole intersection after recent serious injuries.

An unnamed senior resident who said she lives in Enumclaw described watching people struck at that corner and urged the city to install "a set of 4 rectangular solar flashing beacons" with push-button crossings and to add posted 25-mph speed signage on Cole Street. "Please, we need your help," she said, citing seniors, veterans and volunteers who use the area.

John Dahlquist, a resident who provided a color map to council, said he observed multiple accidents at the corner and urged enforcement measures, including speed signs and police speed checks. He said the mayor had told him a budget exists for improvements.

Council member McClure said public works has prepared preliminary drawings that include two pedestrian bump-outs and that interim measures will include a 25-mph speed zone and one no-parking stall near the AutoZone storefront. He reported a preliminary engineer's estimate of about $84,000 for the intersection treatment (not including rapid-flashing beacons) and said the public-works team expects to have a preliminary budget and drawings by March, with construction likely after the next meeting in April.

Next steps: staff will finalize a preliminary budget and drawings and return to council with a timeline and funding plan; council discussion suggested seeking grants and using interim measures while full engineering proceeds.