Long Term
- Trip reduction policies
- Create a mixed-use development code that allows residences, local schools, parks, stores, and services, interconnected with trails and sidewalks.
- Extend existing roads to fill in the missing links and begin to create a grid network. Emergency vehicles have a difficult time accessing subdivisions because the developments have a very poor street network and convoluted access routes. Improvements to emergency response times can greatly reduced by extending some streets and removing the barriers on other streets.
- Extend and enhance the trail system.
- Add bike lanes to all major roads.
- Add sidewalks to both sides of all streets and major roads.
- Capacity Improvements
Long term policies that can moderate traffic growth are:
- Maple Valley Highway
- Reconstruct Maple Valley Highway as a three-lane section with a center turn lane that includes short sections of medians at as many locations as possible to moderate traffic speeds, help pedestrians to cross the road, and provide space for trees in the center of the road. Sidewalks, trees in the nature strip, curb and gutter, pedestrian level lighting and roundabouts should all included as design elements. The median, roundabouts and the narrower appearance of the road control vehicle speed.
- Construct the Maple Valley Highway as a four-lane boulevard, with a landscaped median, nature strips with street trees, sidewalks, roundabouts, and bicycle lanes.
Impact: Crashes will be reduced, pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to travel along and cross SR 169, access will be improved, the street will be much more attractive. However, traffic congestion will only be partially improved.
Impact: Greatly increased road capacity, a large increase in through traffic that will aid businesses, improved access and circulation for local residents, a road to be proud of, and a greatly enhanced environment for walking and bicycling. Development can occur in both Maple Valley and to the southeast. Decreasing crashes and moderated speeds will further increase the benefits of the road.
Long Term Improvements
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