SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The Spokane Valley City Council unanimously approved a speed limit reduction aimed at protecting students.
The resolution lowers speed limits from 35 mph to 30 mph on three major streets near six schools across the city.
The changes affect Park Road near Seth Woodard and Orchard Center Elementary Schools, Pines Road near University High School, Horizon Middle School, and Chester Elementary, and a stretch of Broadway from Adams to Sullivan near Progress Elementary.
Kyle Rydell, superintendent of the West Valley School District, said the effort to improve safety on these roads has been years in the making. “Three years ago, we approached the City of Spokane Valley to discuss the speed limit on Park Road,” Rydell said. “We have several kids in that neighborhood that access our school grounds before school, after school, on weekends, in the summer, and so we were just kind of focused on making that area safer.”
Robert Blegen, public works director for the City of Spokane Valley, noted the current dangers students face on these roads. “When there are students going to the fields or the facilities during school hours, or even after school hours, there can be a concern about the speeds on these roads,” Blegen said.
Supporters of the resolution emphasize that reduced speeds will make drivers more attentive around schools throughout the day. Rydell explained the safety benefits: “Any reduced speed is going to help someone’s reaction time. If a kid is on a bike, or walking, it’s going to help in regards to them stopping so that there isn’t an accident.”
City officials say that this could lead to further speed limit changes in Spokane Valley.
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