SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — With the first day of school less than a week away, the Spokane Valley City Council is weighing a safety measure that could change how drivers navigate streets near schools year-round.
The city is considering permanently lowering speed limits on two major roads that pass by several schools. Currently, these stretches have a 35 mph speed limit outside of school hours, but the proposed resolution would reduce that to 30 mph permanently.
The changes would affect Park Road near Seth Woodard and Orchard Center Elementary Schools, and Pines Road near University High School, Chester Elementary School, and Horizon Middle School.
“During school hours, the speed limit goes down to 20, but that’s only a fraction of the day that the kids and others are accessing these school properties,” said Robert Blegen, Public Works Director for Spokane Valley. “Park Road and Pines, here near us today, they’re fairly wide. And when there is students going to the fields or to the facilities during school hours or even after school hours, there can be a concern about the speeds on these roads.”
The resolution emerged from conversations between city officials and school district staff who expressed concerns about vehicle speeds on these roads. Some residents living near Pines Road support the measure, saying a lower speed limit would improve safety for the many children who walk along the street.
The city council is scheduled to vote on the resolution Tuesday night and is actively seeking community input ahead of the vote. Residents and concerned parents are encouraged to share their perspectives before the decision is made.
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