By October, drivers in Sequim city limits should have a good grasp on their driving speed.
City staff announced plans on Aug. 13 to purchase 19 solar powered radar speed signs to place around Sequim.
City Engineer Matt Klontz said Sequim city councilors expressed an interest in traffic calming measures across the city leading to proposals from four companies ranging from about $28,500-$62,650 for 14 signs. Klontz estimated about $77,000 needed for the project.
RadarSigns won the bid with an estimated $3,268 per sign that features 13-inch tall LED lettering and can be programmed to input word messages, such as “slow down,” “too fast” or a smiley face.
So far, traffic signs are tentatively set for installation at:
• North Sequim Avenue (southbound side)
• South Sequim Avenue (northbound)
• North Brown Road (southbound)
• South Third Avenue (northbound)
• East Silberhorn Road (eastbound)
• North Priest Road (southbound)
They also tentatively will be installed on both sides of the road at:
• North Blake Avenue (north/south bound)
• East Spruce Street (east/westbound)
• West Spruce Street (east/westbound)
• North Fifth Avenue (north/southbound)
• South Seventh Avenue (north/southbound)
Klontz said the city will replace the existing battery-operated signs on Seventh Avenue.
With buying 19 signs, Klontz said the city will rotate the remaining signs around the city as needed.
The signs offer Wi-Fi so city staff and/or Sequim Police officers can access data on speeds. Signs do not take photos and/or video.
Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain said the signs should be great for the city.
“We don’t typically have huge speeding issues in the city,” she said.
“It’s more about certain neighborhoods feeling stress from a larger number of cars. (Installing the signs) is more about traffic calming.”
Crain said the City of Sequim last had dedicated traffic personnel in 2005-2007.
“(However,) we’re still able to be proactive while being reactive,” she said.
In 2016, Sequim Police made 2,845 traffic stops, according to its 2016 Annual Report, which is up from the previous three years. This includes 185 traffic tickets and 332 miscellaneous traffic citations.
The city’s Transportation Benefit District will pay for the signs and Klontz said a recent chip sealing project funded by the project went about $35,000 under budget so those funds went towards purchasing 19 signs instead of 14.
Contact the City of Sequim, 152 W. Cedar St., at www.sequimwa.gov or 360-683-4139.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
The City of Sequim plans to install 19 solar panel radar speed signs by October to help with traffic calming throughout the city. Submitted photo
So far, City of Sequim staff selected 11 sites for new speed radar signs to go with five spots (in yellow) anticipated to host signs on both sides of the road. City staff said a few additional signs will be rotated throughout the city. Submitted photo
