by Richard Uhlhorn
Speed kills! That is a major concern of residents and downtown businesses adjacent to Manson Blvd from Lake Chelan Building Supply through the downtown corridor and up to the intersection of Manson Blvd. and Boetske Avenue.
The topic of vehicles speeding through that corridor at speeds above the posted 25 miles per hour speed limit has elevated the topic for the Manson Community Council seeking solutions to slow traffic down on this highly used section of road.
The Council requested that Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gearing, Eric Pierson – County Public Works Engineer and County law enforcement representatives attend the Council meeting on Tuesday, March 21 to discuss the speeding issue.
There have been several accidents and one person killed during a hit-and-run. “There is a lot of pedestrian traffic and we need to see if we can work something out,” said one resident.
Engineer Eric Pierson stated that there were a lot of things to look at. He suggested what he called a “pie in the Eye” solution of making Boetske and Manson Blvd. into one way corridors. Commissioner Gearing suggested narrowing the corridor down to help slow traffic.
The most productive ideas were education and law enforcement of the speed limits, however, the Chief of Patrol Buhler said that while tickets have already been written, the Sheriff’s department can’t be there full time. “Regardless of speed signs, people drive at what they feel comfortable at,” he said.
Soft Speed Bumps came up as a solution but Pierson said snow plowing, water runoff and bicycles and motorcycles might have problems. Mayor Goedde stated that they can also be a liability.
Councilman Chris Willoughby asked about flashing speed signs.
Gearing suggested increased law enforcement presence. “The new Sheriff has increased patrols and that pressure has definitely helped,” said Gearing. She added that she made a whole list and will meet with Pierson to discuss solutions and to try and fund it. She told the Council that she would get back to them the following week.
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