CITY OF PUYALLUP PERMITTING PORTAL

Other/Miscellaneous

Applicant must respond to previous WSDOT comments: 11) Can you provide your Synchro files used for this TIA? Comment Response: Updated synchro files can be delivered to City if requested WSDOT RESPONSE: Could you provide us the updated synchro files? 13) MP25.50-25.76 is identified as CAL/CAC and MP25.48 is identified as IAL. Safety analysis is required. Comment Response: This comment is assumed to be related to SR 161. As this is a regional facility and the City has no authority to require mitigation that is disproportionate to project impacts, no analysis or project mitigation can be required. WSDOT RESPONSE: The City Comprehensive Plan Goal T-5 seeks to create a roadway network that efficiently and safety moves people and good. The Washington State Strategic Highway Safety Plan (Target Zero) signed by the Governor provides a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on Washington roadways by 2030. The TIA failed to consider safety as part of the analysis and consider city and statewide safety goals. The TIA failed to provide minimum required content for state highway analysis in accordance with WSDOT Design Manual Section 320.10(1). Required content includes a safety performance analysis. See WSDOT Design Manual Chapter 320 and 321 for more information. Portion of SR161 has been identified by WSDOT Collision Analysis Location (CAL) and Corridor (CAC) between mile posts 25.50 and 25.76. In addition, an Intersection Analysis Location (IAL) is identified at mile post 25.48 otherwise known as SR161 at 35th Ave SE. These are locations that experience higher levels of fatal and serious injury frequency and represent a higher priority safety area for potential for safety improvements. This identification is supported by a collision density map in the City of Puyallup’s Comprehensive Plan (Map 7-8). The college expansion impacts this portion of SR161. The college expansion is expected to create 1458 (TIA Table 3) new daily trips to the area transportation system including state routes. Based upon the peak hour distribution it appears the total vehicle impact to SR161 is nearly 650 vehicles with 20% to 25% of the 1458 vehicles directly affecting the identified safety priority areas on SR161. Based upon available information there may be a probably significant adverse environmental safety impact associated with this project. Additional analysis as previously requested is required to determine the level of impact and mitigation (if necessary). Prepare a safety analysis in accordance with WSDOT Policy to evaluate the safety impacts of college expansion on the safety of State Route 161.