The Issaquah City Council will soon consider lowering the speed limit on Newport Way Northwest, between State Route 900 to the Lakemont Interchange, from 40 mph to 30 mph.
The City has been analyzing Newport west of State Route 900, as new development will soon change that corridor’s conditions, and likely necessitate a lower speed limit.
During the July 27, 2015, open house, Mayor Fred Butler announced plans to take a recommendation to the City Council in September to lower the speed limit now, instead of when the development occurs.
In addition, the council will consider lowering the speed limit on three other street sections:
- East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast, from Southeast 51st Street to Southeast Issaquah-Fall City Road: 40 mph to 35 mph
- West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast, from 700 feet east of 193rd Place Southeast to the Bellevue city limit: 35 mph to 30 mph
- Front Street South, from one-quarter mile south of Newport Way Southwest to Sixth Avenue Southeast: 35 mph to 25 mph
The council will consider the change at its Sept. 8 regular meeting.
At its meeting, the council can lower the speed limit along Newport Way immediately, and refer the other recommendations to the Council Infrastructure Committee.
Many of the streets under consideration serve as gateways into our community. A lower speed limit communicates to drivers that they are entering our City, and not simply traveling on a thoroughfare.
Other factors affecting these streets include planned development, and the number of driveways.