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Grant County
Department of Public Works
124 Enterprise St. S.E.
Ephrata, WA 98823
To: Honorable Grant County Board of County Commissioners
From: Dave Bren, PE, MSCE
County Road Engineer
Date: June 15, 2022
Re: Potato Hill Road Petition to Reduce Speed Limit for ATV Use
Regional Planning vs. Engineering Need
ATV Loop for the Moses Lake Sand Dunes Park
Serial No. 22.065
Legislative History: Financial Impact:
• First Presentation: a June 28, 2022 j • Signage, Gates, & Guardrail: $ 60,000
• Second Presentation: • Dunes Wire Fencing: $ 40,000
• Action Reauested• � Discussion O�tt;ra}�'9Y\Li� x SC•r'is�,,yy� <i�.ks fa1�R l�t�.Y. ��: �• "-..,y.'ee�S�It •t �yi�f'. S�.a�-S:.S,t'L..Li. �_...; i.��Lq.�:i'f.;tiLii?�r*..itti w\-j��_s.�y��•�xd:'c�S.�.'z�iis, ;,4q-��5.r.4i4t,��%e.1�i`J"`'fi_Yr Cjt�t1.� i Y'fi{t �orr i';.*c'� T`�' P:-lg .;"yti 3 .�4�`.1„T kifnq,t ty -�"et �^_rt,',{; ,in� ,: Yc21.
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Overview
The County has received a speed limit reduction petition
to provide for All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) traffic on
Potato Hill Road (Attachment A). The County has
conducted an Engineering Assessment in consideration
of the petition (Attachment B).
Engineering Assessment: The engineering assessment
found that there is no engineering justification for
lowering the speed limit on Potato Hill Road based on
MUTCD criteria as follows:
• Speed Study Findings
• Collision History
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Use
• Resident Feedback Against Reduction
• Site Visit Findings
"To rne�et current. and, future: need's, zarving to et( e.r with public and private entities, white: fosteeringa. razpaG�tlf..an'. Suacessful
work environment,"
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13ob B-ersant, Construction. Engineer... 3503
Mike
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Seib nastro, Public Works 3,504
Rod Follett, Forem an -Sign
John Spiess, S u pewiso r -Central $hop__......_(5oq) �4-B0BB
Samuel Dart, Assistant Director:...__.,_................:Ext.3519
Jason callings, Solid Waste.......___ ...., .�50�� T54-4319
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Regional Planning Assessment: The engineering assessment provides a roadway
level analysis, however, in this case, there is also a larger regional planning level
assessment that should be considered. During the summer months, upwards of 5,000
people per weekend visit the Moses Lake Sand Dunes Park for ATV recreation. There
is an Economic Interest, Inter -Agency Interest, and Public Interest for an ATV Loop
running from the City of Moses Lake via Sand Dunes Road and looping back via Potato
Hill Road. Based on the following:
• 5,000 Summer ATV Visitors per Week (Economic)
• Complete the Sand Dunes Road to Potato Hill Road ATV Loop
• City of Moses Lake ATV Ordinance Planning (Inter -Agency)
• State Parks Protection of Critical Lands with Road Corridor Improvements (Inter -Agency)
• Ongoing Petitions
Unless the ATV Loop is complete, there is limited Regional Benefit. Therefore, both Sand Dunes Road and
Potato Hill Road should be conducted together or not at all.
Fiscal and Policy Implications
Improvements to the ATV Loop will need to be conducted to gain support from State Parks and the Department
of Fish and Wildlife for ATV access through critical wildlife areas of the State Park. These are areas where ATV
traffic is not allowed. In short, wire fencing, gates, and guardrail will need to be installed. The $100,000 in
funding for the project has not been budgeted. In addition, these ATV related improvements are not required for
the road to be functional for cars, as it is already in operation. These improvements are only required to allow
ATV access through critical wildlife areas of the State Park. In short, these are not County Road Fund
improvements. Therefore, specialized public/private funding will be necessary.
Commission Packet Attachment
A. Petition for ATV Speed Reduction on Potato Hill Road
B. Engineering Assessment Memorandum
Action Requested
Public Works Staff recommends not proceeding on the Potato Hill petition,
unless the Sand Dunes Road is included, as there is a Regional Planning
Justification for an ATV Loop, but not an Engineering Justification for the
reduction in speed. An ATV Loop would be a Regional Improvement and has
economic, intra -agency, and public interest. In addition, specialized funding
will have to be considered for the ATV Loop project, as it is not a County Road
Fund improvement.
Public Works requests only a first reading at this time, with review comments,
and an open discussion regarding an ATV Loop. Public Works will then
update as needed and a bring back to the Board for a Public Hearing at a later
date.
"To meet current and, lure needs, serving together with publio and priVate entities.. While f05'.-ri t9 a rePeGt Ul and st.iGoeSsfUi
work environment."
754-6082
Dave Bran, PEr cotinty Road Ertginaar.._......._.....,.Ext. S5o2
Ed tri#ry, Sti rvisor-Di,t_ No -
_M4_6087
Bob laersant, Constrtiction
Mike T 7rolio, SttparviOr- iSt. No. S591
E-mail. - ------------ - - - - ptih>•icwor !; grantcottribpfva..gov
Loc Ohl Accotintant Lead.......Ext. 3555
John Briss ey., Stiper05or-Dist No. 3._ ....... ................ Ext4
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Sam Gastro, Pab is Works Director..__...._ _.....r.Ext..B504
Rod Follett, Forem: an -Sign Shop.,..,..,.__..................Ext. 3576
.john Spur Stiparvisar-c:antral shop____(509) 754-6086
Saratiel dart, A»iStant Ext -3519
Jason Collings, Solid Wante._. ............. ._...... (509) 754.4.319
Andy Booth, Bridge ....... .... ..... .....Ext X585