Wenatchee proposes multimodal level-of-service targets and revised street classifications

Transportation staff and consultants presented a revised transportation element as part of the comp plan update, focused on matching roadway functional classification to current and projected traffic volumes and adopting measurable multimodal level‑of‑service (LOS) standards.

Emma Honeycutt, assistant city engineer, said the update combines vehicle LOS (using Highway Capacity Manual metrics) with new measurable targets for bicycles and pedestrians derived from recent state legislation. "We have ... to have a threshold for a level of service for bicycles and pedestrians as well," she said, describing the use of Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) to quantify comfort for cyclists.

Staff recommended maintaining a D standard for suburban areas and an average E for the urban center to permit infill without requiring unsustainable lane additions. For bikes and pedestrians, the proposal designates primary bike routes that should meet lower LTS scores (easier riding conditions) and sets LTS goals for crosswalk comfort and pedestrian routes.

Trade-offs and examples: Staff acknowledged the curb-space competition between bike lanes, on-street parking and pedestrian amenities and showed examples where buffered bike lanes and partial parking retention were used (Cherry Street) and slated Washington Street as a potential corridor to reconfigure parking for bike lanes.

Funding and implementation: The draft will include a prioritized project list and funding strategy. Staff warned that construction and preservation costs have risen and that many mobility projects compete for grants that favor safety over pavement preservation and long-range mobility.

What happens next: The transportation element, prioritized project list and LOS targets will be published with the draft EIS; staff said the city will phase code updates and development‑standard revisions and coordinate with East Wenatchee and county partners.