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Resolution 64 -79
WHEREAS, the Washington State Transportation Commission authorized and directed
the Secretary of Transportation to prepare and establish a revised master plan for
limited access highways within the State; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Transportation has supplied Jeffer-
son County with copies of these proposed Washington Administrative Code revisions
and master plan maps for review and comment; and
WHEREAS, that portion of SR 20 within the jurisdiction of Jefferson County was
not included on the master plan map; and
WHEREAS, the land abutting SR 20 has been increasing in its rate of development;
and
WHEREAS, the traffic along SR 20 has been increasing and will continue/to
increase as this roadway is the major north/south thoroughway in tbe Jefferson County;
and
WHEREAS, SR 20 within Jefferson County is a primary bicycle route on the Olympic
Peninsula including being designated a bike trail route in the Jefferson County Park,
Recreation, and Open Space Plan; and
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WHEREAS, SR 20 is a scenic and recreational resource of Jefferson County, and is
locally referred to, in part, as Rhododendron Drive; and
.
WHEREAS, this Board concludes that access controls along SR 20 would: encourage
proper development along the roadway; help minimize the conflict between the travel-
ing public, including bicyclists and those entering and exiting the highway; preserve
, the scenic beauty of the roadway; enhance the integrity of this roadway as the major
thoroughway in East Jefferson County; and promote the health, safety, and general
welfare of the citizens of Jefferson County as well as the traveling public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
requests that SR 20, between its terminus at US 101 and the city limits of Port Town-
sendJbe designated as a limited access highwaYJby the Washington State Department of
Transportation~in their master plan for limited access highways in the State of Wash-
ington.
SEAL:
APPROVED and ADOPTED this 12th day of June, 1979.
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VOL
5 PACE
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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. . 0 Meara, Chal rman
B.G. Brown, Commissioner
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Carroll M. ercer, Commlssioner
o 1139
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david goldsmith, director
June 12, 1979
jefferson county planning department
courthouse
port townsend, washington 98368
telephone 12061 385 -1427
William A. Bulley, Secretary
Office of the Secretary
Department of Transportation
Highway Administration Building
Olympia, Washington 98504
Dear Mr. Bulley:
Jefferson County requests that SR-20, from its terminus at U.S. 101
to the limits of the City of Port Townsend, be classified, at a minimum,
as a modified controlled limited access highway on the Limited Access
Master Plan.
The traffic on this highway has been increasing due to growth and
increased tourism on the Peninsula. New accesses have been developed
along the highway in association with the increased activity in the area.
Access controls would help preserve the integrity of SR-20 as the major
north/south transportation corridor in the County.
The highway is also a primary bicycle route on the Olympic Peninsula.
This is due tothe highway's close proximity to the Port Townsend ferry
terminal and its connection with US 101. The highway shoulder py'ovides
a riding surface for bicyclists. Due to these conditions, a portion of
thi s hi gh\!Iay has been desi gnated as alibi ke trail route II in the Jefferson
County Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan. Access controls would help
minimize conflicts between motor vehicles and bicyclists.
Th~ highway is a major scenic resource \!/ithin the County. Along this
primarily forested route is an abundance of rhododendrons, the State
flower and the County emblem. Locally this roadway is known as "Rhododendron
Drive." Views of Port Discovery Bay are found along the roadway. Access
controls would help preserve the scenic quality of this highway. In addition,
the County is currently contacting our State Legislators for inclusion of
SR-20 as part of the scenic highway system.
The recently adopted Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan contains a
policy, numbered eight, in the transportation/circulation section related
to highway and arterial access which states IIIn order to provide traffic
safety, and to minimize public expenditures, road circulation routes should
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June 12, 1979
William A. Bulley
page 2
incorporate limited access provisions wherever possible. Jointly used
residential driveways, and commercial or residential frontage roads,
should be a high priority in road way and roadway design. In order to
preserve the integrity of the County road system and arterial routes
in particular, Jefferson County should undertake and find a program for
the establishment of commercial frontage roads in critical areas of the
County such as SR-10 and the Airport Cut-off Road between Port Townsend
and Chimacum. The inclusion of SR-20 in the State Limited-Access Master
Plan would coincide with the County's attempt to implement these policies."
Finally, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners by Resolution
64-79 formally requests that SR-20, within its jurisdiction, be included
within the Department of Transportation's Limited Access Master Plan. The
Resolution is enclosed for your use.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. If we can be of any
assistance in implementing State access controls for SR-20~in Jefferson
County, please feel free to call upon us.
Si ncere ly ,
Ej)~
Edward Darden
Associate Planner
ED:cg
cc:
Jefferson County Board of Commi ssi oners /
Jefferson County Planning Commission
A.R. Morrell, District Administrator
A.D. Andreas, State Design Engineer
R.C. Cook, Location Engineer
Enclosure
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