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Commission orders 4‑way stop at 21st & 167th and directs ground‑in rumble strips for 21st Street
Summary
After years of crashes and an unsuccessful ICWS experiment, the board approved converting the intersection to a 4‑way stop and directed ground‑in rumble strips on 21st Street along with additional signage and markings; vote 4‑1 (Commissioner Howe opposed, urging rumble strips in both directions and questioning rear‑end risks).
The commission approved a traffic control resolution to install stop signs making the intersection of 21st Street North and 167th Street West a four‑way stop and to add ground‑in rumble strips on 21st Street as part of a package of safety measures.
Commissioner Howe objected to immediately moving to a four‑way stop and urged an alternative approach focused on rumble strips ground into pavement, saying the county's earlier experimental intersection collision warning system (ICWS) reduced severity but did not cut crash counts and that properly placed rumble strips "wake people up." He said his preference would have been to retain a two‑way configuration while installing rumble strips on both approaches.
County Engineer Lynn Packer told the board rumble strips are planned for 21st Street and could be installed immediately if the board approved the resolution: "Rumble strips are planned to be put on 21st Street, at this particular location. Those are, if approved today, can be put in as soon as next week." Packer said staff will also add stop bars, remark pavement markings, install advanced warning signage and maintain flashing beacons; the county has programmed a longer‑term CIP project (signal or roundabout) for 2027–28 but described the current package as an interim mitigation. The motion to approve (including rumble strips on 21st) passed 4‑1, with Commissioner Howe voting no.
