PORT LUDLOW — Speed limits will be reduced on six segments of Paradise Bay and Oak Bay roads in Port Ludlow.
The Jefferson County commissioners unanimously approved speed limit reductions — to 25 and 35 miles per hour — on Tuesday.
Signage along the roads will be changed in the next 30 days, said Monte Reinders, county public works director.
Here are the segments and the speed limits that will be set on them:
• Paradise Bay Road, 500 feet south of Timberton Drive to 500 feet south of Breaker Lane and Anchor Lane, 35 mph.
• Paradise Bay Road from 500 feet south of Breaker Lane and Anchor Lane to Oak Bay Road and Osprey Ridge Drive, 25 mph.
• Oak Bay Road, 500 feet west of Breaker Lane to Paradise Bay Road and Osprey Ridge Drive, 25 mph.
• Oak Bay Road from Paradise Bay Road and Osprey Ridge Drive to 500 feet north of Waterhouse Lane, 25 mph.
• Oak Bay Road from 500 feet north of Waterhouse Lane to Marine View Drive and Walker Way, 35 mph.
• Oak Bay Road from Marine View Drive and Walker Way for 500 feet north, 35 mph.
The speed limit changes were suggested after Port Ludlow residents said people were traveling too fast along the roads.
That prompted officials to commission a traffic safety study, which was completed in June 2020. The speed limits it recommended were approved this week, Reinders said.
The commissioners conducted a public hearing on Feb. 8 and received 35 comments through verbal and written testimony with 25 in favor of the changes, seven against them and seven neutral, according to a compilation of the comments organized by county public works.
While voting in favor of the move, District 3 Commissioner Greg Brotherton wondered if the change would lead to drivers slowing down.
“I’m skeptical that this is going to have the impact that people want,” he said. “I’m OK with this.
“I hope that we don’t have an opposite motion in a year when people find they don’t like the result.”
Officials said the changes in speed shouldn’t impact travel times noticeably.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
